Belize Offshore Company Formation
Belize introduced its own International Business Companies Act in 1990. The Belizean IBC Act was modeled after the 1984 act of the British Virgin Islands and the 1989 IBC Act of the Bahamas.
Legal form: Belizean laws allow for the following categories of business ownership: Private Limited Companies, Limited Liability Partnership, Limited Life Companies, Joint Ventures and Cooperatives, Partnership, Sole Proprietor, Public Investment Companies, Trusts. The most popular form used by international investors for registering Belize IBC is private limited company. The IBC act prohibits Belize IBC from: Carrying on business with persons resident in Belize; Owning an interest in real property situated in Belize, except lease property for office purposes; Carrying on banking business; Carrying on insurance or reinsurance business; Carrying on the business of providing registered agents/offices for companies. Otherwise, a Belize IBC may engage in any activity that is not unlawful in Belize.
Belize companies' names must end with one of the following words, or their relevant abbreviations – Limited, Corporation, Incorporated, Societe Anonyme, Sociedad Anonima. The following names to be used, require licensing: Bank, Insurance, Assurance, Re-Insurance, Trust, Trustee, Savings, Royal, Asset management, Fund Management, Investment Fund, Building Society, Municipal, Chartered. Names denoting any connection to local, state or national Governments are generally prohibited.
A company is incorporated in Belize by application made to the Registrar of Companies. Memorandum and Articles of Association must be lodged with the Registrar. Memorandum specifies the activities in which the company may engage and Articles of Association specify the rules governing the internal management of the company.
Shareholders: A minimum of one shareholder is required which may be an individual or a corporate body. The details of company beneficial owners and shareholders are not part of the public records.
The share capital: There is no specific minimum capital requirement. The standard authorized share capital is US$ 50,000. The minimum issued capital may be one share of no par value or one share of par value. Issued shares must be fully paid. Registered shares, bearer shares, shares of no par value, preference shares, redeemable shares and shares with or without voting rights are permitted.
Directors of the company: Belize IBC requires a minimum of one director and corporate directors are permitted. Details of the directors do not appear on the public file. There is no requirement to have resident directors.
Registered office and local agent/secretary: As is called for under the BVI and Bahamian IBC Acts, Belizean companies must maintain a registered office and registered agent within Belize who may be corporate body or individual resident in Belize.
Taxation: Belize International Business Companies are exempt from the Belize income tax, from tax on dividends, interest, royalties, compensations and other amounts paid by a company; also they are exempt from all the capital gains, estate, inheritance, succession or gift tax with respect to any shares, debt obligations or other securities of the Belize IBC's.Audit and financial returns: Whilst there is no requirement to file audited accounts or annual returns with the authorities, a company is required to keep financial records, which should reflect the financial position of a company.