What are the benefits of a Belize IBC (International Business Company)?:

• Exemption from taxes on all income,

• Exemption from taxes on all dividends, interests, rent, royalties, compensations and other amounts paid out,

• Exemption from capital gains taxes on shares, debt obligations or other securities of an IBC held by non-residents,

• No exchange control restrictions,

• Shareholders and Directors meetings may be held in any country and may be attended by proxy,

• No citizenship or residency requirements for directors, officers or shareholders,

• Only one Shareholder /Subscriber required,

• Only one Director required and this may be a corporation or trust,

• Shares may be held by corporations or trusts,

• Non-Disclosure Of Beneficial Owners,

• Register of Shareholders is available for inspection only by shareholders or by order of the Belize Courts,

• Bearer Shares Permitted,

• Shares may be issued without par value; no minimum capital required,

• No filing of annual accounting records required.

What are some popular uses of a Belize IBC?:

• Offshore bank account:  Many people desire the heightened financial freedom associated with having an offshore bank account, but are reluctant to hold the account in their own names.  For these people, the incorporation of an offshore company in whose name the account is opened and operated is an attractive means of preserving their privacy.

• Protection of profits:  Belize offshore companies can be effective tax-planning tools for the businessman as they can be used to transfer profits from high tax jurisdictions to a zero tax jurisdiction.  A very topical and prevalent instance of this is "transfer pricing” which involves the strategic placement of an offshore company as an intermediary in a business transaction between parties from two high tax jurisdictions.  Such an arrangement is completely legal if properly structured and executed.

• Ship Registration:  Many of the world’s most popular marine registries (including the International Marine Registry of Belize) permit offshore companies to be registered as a ship owner.  This allows for tax savings on profits earned from chartering and other income-generating activities.

• Investments:  For persons in high-tax jurisdictions, acquiring property, whether real or personal, in the name of an offshore as opposed to a domestic entity can provide significant long-term savings in Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax.

• Intellectual Property Licensing:  Individuals or corporations in high-tax jurisdictions may realize significant tax advantages by selling their ownership of copyrights, patents, trade marks, licenses or franchises to an offshore company.  This company then, contracts with and receives all income from licensees and franchisees wishing to utilize the intellectual material.  The income therefore accumulates in a tax-free environment.