Belize LDC Formation
Belize LDC Formation
The Belize International Business Companies Act (IBC Act) (repealed and replaced by the Belize Companies Act, 2022) allows for the formation of a “limited duration company (LDC)” entity. The Belize LDC is a pass-through company which means there is no tax at the company-level. These entities have similar characteristics as the limited liability companies (LLCs) in the United States, the GmbH in Germany and “Limitada” in Latin America. Like an LLC, they are governed by their internal operating agreements rather than by-laws that are used by corporations.
Essentially, an LDC is an LLC with a slightly different name and whereas an LLC in some jurisdictions has a 30 year life, an LDC has a duration of 50 years or less. LDC will state in its memorandum of association a provision which limits the duration of the company up to a maximum of fifty years from the date of its first registration. The life of the company is renewable or can be re-filed at the end of this period. The name of the company will need to include at its end “Limited Duration Company” or the corresponding three-letter abbreviation. An existing company can also be converted to an LDC.
Benefit
One of the main advantage of a Belize LDC , as compared to the former Belize IBC, is the asset protection characteristic in which the articles of association can be written so that it prohibit the transfer of any share or other interest of a member of the company absolutely, or may provide that the transfer of any share or other interest of a member requires either the unanimous resolution of all the members or a resolution passed by such proportion of the members as the articles of association may specify.
Similar to a United States LLC, the Belize LDC act provides that the articles may state that the business of the entity can either be managed by its members, or by some person designated as manager with such rights, powers and duties as may be specified in the LDC articles of association. This allows the company to exempt itself from the requirement of having a board of directors under section 47 of the Act.
The act also allows provides that a person ceases to be a member of the company upon the happening of any one or more of the events specified in the articles of association. They may further provide that the rights of such former members shall be limited to an entitlement to receive such value for their shares in the company, as may be determined by the articles of association. This means that if you are the manager of an LDC, you may elect to pay off one of the members and remove him from the company if he or she is impeding your business.
Lastly, the act provides for the articles of association to allow authorized share capital of the company to be divided into various classes of shares carrying either limited or unlimited liability.
Summary Features Of A Belize LDC
Anonymity | No information will be disclosed to the Companies Registry except that it exists the location of its registered office and the identity of the resident agent. |
Paid Up Capital Requirement | No minimum paid up capital is required and capital can be in any currency. Annual renewal fee charged is dependent on the capital of the company. |
Accounting Requirement | No requirement for any filing of Financial Statements or records required, however, accurate, reliable, up-to-date and easily accessible accounting & financial records, books and minutes of the entity shall be maintained and retained at the registered office of the entity or at such other place as the Board of Directors or Sole Director from time to time may determine. Where the accounting & financial records of the Company are kept outside of Belize, should there be any change in the initial maintenance or location of such records, the director shall notify the Agent of such change within fourteen (14) days. |
Taxation | None. |
Time to Form | Incorporate within 48 hours. |
Minimum Members | A minimum of 1 member is required. |
Minimum Director | No Director is required; |
Meetings | Governed by internal operating agreement. |
Fillings | Limited filing to be done at the Registry. |
Company Life | Duration of 50 years or less. |