Step Four (4): Registration for General Sales Tax (GST)

General Sales Tax (GST) is a tax on consumer spending collected at the point of importation and on business transactions when goods change ownership or services are performed. As set out in the General Sales Tax Act No. 45 of 2005, taxable importations and taxable supplies of goods and services are required to register for GST. This tax is imposed on the mark-up value of goods and services and is payable monthly to the Department of GST. It is generally charged at a rate of 12.5%; however, it is zero-rated while others are exempt that can be found in the Fourth Schedule of the Act.

All businesses/persons who are engaged in a taxable activity with an annual turnover of BZ$75,000.00 or more or once a business’/person’s monthly sales are BZ $6,250 or more, the owner must register with the Belize Tax Department and pay GST for conducting those activities. This person could be a company, partnership, sole proprietorship, trustee or estate. A person must register within one (1) month of the day on which the person first becomes eligible.

For more information on General Sales Tax in Belize, please visit the https://bts.gov.bz/