Form a Belize International Business Company (IBC) under the International Business Companies Act and operate from a common law Caribbean jurisdiction with appeal to the Privy Council in London. Zero CIT applies to foreign source income, Belize source income is taxed at 1.75 to 6% graduated business tax, and no public accounts are filed.
When Belize is the right call, and when it is not.
Belize IBCs sit at the lowest annual cost in the Caribbean IBC market: government licence fee USD 100 if authorised capital under USD 50,000 (USD 1,000 above), plus registered agent. Formation completes in 48 hours via the Belize Companies and Corporate Affairs Registry (BCCAR). No public accounts, no public director or shareholder records, no statutory audit, and no minimum capital.
Belize IBCs can invoice foreign customers, hold IP, hold securities, and act as treasury vehicles. Foreign source income is zero rated for CIT. Common law from England applies, with the Caribbean Court of Justice as appellate court and Privy Council in London as final court of appeal for certain matters. The International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) regulates licensed financial services activity.
Belize Trusts Act 1992 (as amended) is one of the strongest asset protection statutes in the Caribbean: 1 year statute of limitations on creditor challenges from settlement, explicit refusal to recognise foreign judgments against the trust, and explicit firewall provisions. A Belize IBC paired with a Belize trust is a common family office and high net worth structure.
Belize was on the EU AML high risk list until removal in 2022, and several international banks still apply enhanced due diligence or refuse Belize IBC accounts outright. Stripe, Wise, and Mercury do not onboard Belize IBCs. Caribbean offshore banking (Mauritius, Cayman) and EU EMIs accept the structure with onboarding times of 4 to 10 weeks.
A Belize IBC with no local economic presence is increasingly exposed to home country CFC rules and Pillar Two top up tax for groups above EUR 750M consolidated revenue. The Economic Substance Act 2019 imposes substance tests for relevant activities (financing, IP, distribution, headquarters). For operating businesses needing real substance, an onshore hub is a stronger fit.
Working data for Belize. Cite check each figure before use.
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Each rate, threshold, and deadline below is cited from an authoritative source.
Information is provided for general guidance and reflects tax year 2025 unless noted. Specific situations require advice from a local practitioner. Always confirm against the cited tax authority and registrar before relying on a figure.