Belize offshore companies are regulated by the Belize International Business Companies Act. Offshore company incorporation can be undertaken by one or more persons by simply subscribing to the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the company in formation. Company incorporation has also become an essential part of Belize economy and financial services, creating a number of jobs in various legal and financial fields.

Belize company registration services are very efficient. To register offshore companies, one must go through an agent who in turn serves as the intermediary between the Registrar of companies and offshore clientele. Specific details are given for Belize offshore company incorporation and the documents that must be prepared in the process, some of which entail the Memorandum and Article of Association, Registers (for shares and directors), share certificates (to be distributed to their respective holders as prima facie evidence of their share amount), and Certificate of Incorporation (issued by the Registrar).

Belize offshore companies obtain full tax exemption status upon company incorporation. Belize offshore companies are therefore suitable for undertaking commercial activities internationally and cutting down on tax obligations while so doing. A Belize offshore company is free from any form and type of Belize taxation, to include the most common of taxes, namely income tax, corporate tax, capital gains tax, transfer tax, duties, death and gift taxes and withholding tax on dividends and interest.

According to the IBC Act, Belize offshore companies/International Business Companies are not permitted to conduct business with anyone who resides in Belize and own an interest in any real property in Belize with the exception of holding a lease in accordance with the relevant provisions.

A Belize offshore company can however engage in type of legal commercial and trading business. But engaging in banking services, brokerage, reinsurance and insurance business is unauthorized as these are legislated under separate laws and require specific licensing and legal and financial structures/resources to be in place. The same applies for trust business, collective investment schemes and registered office services for other companies. Licensing must be obtained and the relevant rules and regulations must be adapted to, often time requiring the set up of a separate entity as registered agents and offshore banks, for instance, are required to be physically present in Belize, whereas Belize offshore companies in themselves are required to provide their services strictly offshore.

Notwithstanding these rules, offshore companies incorporated in Belize are allowed to own and maintain Belize offshore bank accounts, establish professional relations with Belize based auditors, trust companies, investment advisers, company management firms, lawyers as may be required. A Belize offshore company that prepares and maintains its accounts and records or general meetings for members/directors in Belize is not in contravention with the law. Other permissions extended to Belize companies offshore include the ability to lease property for office and administrative use and the ownership of Belize registered vessels.

Belize international business companies are incorporated as limited liability entities and consequently subjects none of its members, officers, directors, agents and liquidators to any obligation, default or debt incurred by the company. Offshore companies in this way help safeguard the personal property of their members and are therefore considered asset protection vehicles in this regard. Other asset protection features of Belize companies offshore derive from the privacy provisions that exist to regulate the disclosure of information of any Belize offshore company and its members.