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Offshore Jurisdictions

Where to Incorporate Your Offshore Company

View Offshore Information by Country/Jurisdiction:

Belize	British Virgin Islands	Cyprus
Delaware Non-Resident LLC	Gibraltar Tax Exempt Company	Gibraltar Non-Resident
Irish Domestic Companies	Isle of Man	Jersey
Liechtenstein Foundations	Luxembourg Holding Company	Netherlands Antilles
Panama	UK Managed Ltd Company	UK Non-Resident LLP

Belize - Fact File

Former British Colony located in Central America. Gained full independence from the United Kingdom in 1981 but has remained part of the British Commonwealth. Territorial disputes with neighbouring Guatemala have resulted in a continued British military presence.

Modern IBC legislation introduced under the International Business Companies Act, 1990. One of the biggest benefits, subject to references, is that all Belize companies can open up a bank account with the Bank of Belize without additional verification making it one of the most competitive jurisdictions in real terms.

Star Ratings:

• Corporate registration efficiency: 5 / 5
• Cost: 5 / 5
• Confidentiality: 5 / 5
• Local banking facilities: 2 / 5
• Legal system: 4 / 5
• Political stability: 3 / 5
• Reputation: 2 / 5

Location

Central America with Mexico to the North and Honduras to the East. Approximately the size of the Principality of Wales with a population of 210,000.

General Companies

Domestic companies are subject to a tax rate of 35%. However, IBC companies are totally tax free apart from the payment of an annual franchise tax, as with most other similar jurisdictions, local residents are specifically prevented from owning such undertakings and/or they cannot be used to conduct trade directly within the Belizean jurisdiction.

Advantages of a Belize IBC Company

• There is no minimum capitalization requirement. By convention the standard nominal share capital is US$50,000.00. However, capital can be expressed in any currency.
• An IBC is required to have a registered office and agent in Belize, the registered agent must be licensed with the necessary professional qualifications and must be either a qualified barrister, solicitor, chartered accountant or other person or entity deemed suitable to hold an agent license.
• Bearer shares: Most IBC companies issue bearer shares, however, registered shares are also possible. Shares can be issued with or without par value.
• Only one director is required. A company may serve as director.
• Only one shareholder is required. Again, this can be a company. There are no nationality requirements for either post apart from the caveats relating to indigenous residents.
• The register of shares/company register must be kept at the registered office. Beneficial ownership details need not be revealed. The register is not open to the public. All other documentary information relating to the company can be kept outside of Belize.
• Full exemption from Iocal taxes including stamp duty.
• Confidentiality guaranteed by statute.
• The company name must end in: Limited, Ltd, Corporation, Inc, Sociedade Anonima, SA or a similar ending which will identify it as having limited liability.
• Transfer of Jurisdiction: IBC legislation permits foreign companies to be re-domiciled in Belize.
• No accounts or annual returns have to be filed with the Government, with the exception of the annual franchise tax required to be filed by the registered agent.

Popular Options

1. Corporate Combined Register (Completed) & Company Seal: Taken by almost all our offshore clients, this includes all appropriate minutes, including where appropriate pre-signed transfer minutes, pre-prepared bearer or named share certificates, registers for members, directors, interests, allotments, transfers and of course your company's certificate of incorporation - Cost US$150.00.
   
2. Apostilling of company documentation pursuant to the Hague Convention of 1961: Many banks now require official company documents to be legally confirmed as original under the internationally accepted apostilling procedure which SMB can provide at the registration/pre-transfer stage of your company incorporation. Before ordering please confirm whether this process will be necessary with your bank- Please refer to fee schedule.
   
3. If you have any other requirements please contact us by e-mail, telephone or facsimile as we can provide virtually all offshore services including recommending a bank that will accept standard/apostilled company documentation.