Income Tax

Income Tax is payable at a rate of 25% on taxable income for all employed persons residing in Belize and earning over BZ$26,000 (US$13,000) per annum in total emoluments; persons earning less than this are exempted from the tax. The basic tax relief referred to as ‘Personal Relief’ is granted based on the amount of your earnings and ranges from BZ$19,600 to BZ$25,600 (US$9,800-12,800).

For more information on Income Tax in Belize, please visit the Belize Tax Service’s Website.

Hotel and Accommodation Tax

Businesses operating in the hotel and accommodation industry are also required to levy an additional hotel tax of 9%. The tax is charged to guests for their accommodations upon check-in/reservation payment and is payable to the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) on a monthly basis.

For more information on Hotel and Accommodation Tax in Belize, please visit the Belize Tourism Board’s Website.

Environmental Tax

Environmental Tax is charged on the C.I.F. (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value of goods imported into Belize at a rate of 3%. Certain medicines and medicinal supplies for human use along with basic food items, such as rice, beans, potatoes, coffee, tea, butter and butter substitutes, cheese, margarine, cooking oil, shortening, lard and lard substitutes, milk (in powder form), condensed milk, baby formula, sardines, meat of swine salted or in brine, corned beef, and salt are exempt. Goods made available from funds provided through grant agreements with external donor agencies, or funds borrowed from external financial institutions by the Government of Belize, or through a Government guarantee are also exempt from paying this tax. The tax is payable at the time of importation and is the liability of the importer.

For more information on Environmental Tax, please visit the Belize Customs and Excise Department's Website.

Land and Property Taxes

Land tax is collected by the Department of Lands, and is assessed at a rate of 1% per year on the unimproved value of the land located in rural areas of the country. Property tax is levied and controlled by City Councils and Town Boards in each district. Within the City of Belmopan, the rate of property tax is set at 2% of the site value; the Belize City Council utilizes the rate of 2.5% of the assessed value. Property Tax is only applicable when you reside within city or town limits. If you are not within those limits, you must pay land tax.

For more information on Land Tax, please visit the Belize Lands and Surveys Department's Website. Information on Property Taxes can be retrieved at your nearest City or Town Council, where applicable.

Stamp Duty/Transfer Tax

Stamp duty, also called transfer tax, is payable on any transaction involving taxable land. This duty is payable to the Government of Belize at the rate of 5% of the value of the land for Belize and CARICOM nationals once the land value is in excess of BZ$20,000. Any other person is charged stamp duty at a rate of 8% on the value of the land.

For more information on Stamp Duty/Transfer Tax, please visit the Belize Lands and Surveys Department's Website.

Excise Tax

Excise Tax is collected on locally manufactured alcohol, beer, cigarettes and soft drinks. For more information on Excise Tax, please visit the Belize Customs and Excise Department's Website.