MSME Tax Amnesty Programme

An opportunity for MSMEs conducting business in Belize to formalize with Belize Tax Services (BTS) and receive a one-year business tax exemption from the date of issue of the MSME Tax Amnesty Certificate, plus waiver of accrued penalties and interest.


Apply Now How to Apply
Deadline:October 29, 2025

MSME Eligibility

To qualify for the MSME Tax Amnesty, your business must meet two (2) of the three metrics for a category (Employees, Annual Sales, Total Assets).

Micro Enterprise

  • Employees < 10
  • Annual Sales < $200,000
  • Total Assets < $200,000

Small Enterprise

  • Employees 10–49
  • Annual Sales $200,000 – < $6 million
  • Total Assets $200,000 – < $6 million

Medium Enterprise

  • Employees 50–300
  • Annual Sales $6 million – $30 million
  • Total Assets $6 million – $30 million

Non-Eligible Companies


Companies below do NOT qualify under the MSME Tax Amnesty Programme

Companies that conduct activities listed below shall NOT BE ELIGIBLE under the Programme:

  1. Gaming and lotteries
  2. Retail or wholesale importers not classified as a micro enterprise
  3. Real estate
  4. Professional and consultancy services excluding Global Digital Services, see list of Professional Services
  5. Financial or money lending services
  6. Import, retail, or wholesale of petroleum-based products
  7. Rental of real estate or goods not including, AirBnB, hotels or auto rental services
  8. Production or sale of any service or good prohibited by any law
  9. Entertainment promotion services excluding Promotion of Local Artists or Entertainers
  10. Auto rental services
Not on this list and meet the MSME criteria? Head to How to Apply.

Professional Services — Not Eligible

The following professional & consultancy services are not eligible under the Programme. Items with Except Micro indicate that micro businesses in that category may qualify.

Accountants

Architects

Attorneys-at-Law

Auctioneers

Building Contractors

Except Micro

Consultants

Customs Brokers

Dentists

Engineers

Insurance Brokers & Underwriters

Mechanics

Except Micro

Medical Practitioners

Moneylenders

Ophthalmologists

Opticians

Optometrists

Shipping Agents

Surveyors

Tour Operators

Except Micro

Travel Agents

Veterinarians

Tip: If you’re unsure whether you qualify as micro, check the MSME classification in the Eligibility section.

Programme Benefits

MSMEs may qualify for one (1) or more of the following benefits.


One-Year Business Tax Exemption

From the date the MSME Tax Amnesty Certificate is issued.

Waiver of Accrued Business Tax Interest

Accrued interest related to business tax is written off under the programme.

Waiver of Accrued Tax Penalties

Penalties accrued on business tax obligations are waived once qualified.

Eligibility to Participate in GOB Tenders

Qualifying MSMEs can access Government of Belize procurement opportunities.

Eligible for Fiscal Incentives

Access incentives designed to help MSMEs invest and grow.

Improved Public & Private Collaboration

Benefit from stronger cooperation across agencies and industry partners.

Eligibility for Other MSME Initiatives

Qualify for additional programmes funded by the Government of Belize.

Assistance Roadshow — October 2025

Swipe or use the arrows. Filter by region. Click “Add to Calendar” to save an all-day event.

Oct 1

Belize City

Civic Center

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Oct 2

Corozal

Andre Campos, Civic Center

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Oct 3

OW (Orange Walk)

The Dome at Peter Alvarez Park

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Oct 8

Independence

Community Center

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Oct 9

Hopkins

Ben’s Hall, Beach

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Oct 10

Dangriga

Russell Chiste Auditorium

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Oct 15

Benque

Cancha, Mount Carmel

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Oct 16

San Ignacio / Santa Elena

Victor Galvez Auditorium

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Oct 21

San Pedro

Lion’s Den

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Oct 22

Caye Caulker

Community Center

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Oct 24

PG (Punta Gorda)

Town Council

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Oct 27

Belmopan

Civic Center

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How to Apply

Use the buttons below to jump straight to each portal. Replace the # links with your live URLs.

Tip: If you applied online before the Roadshow, bring your documents to the clinic for same-day verification and signature.

Step 1

Eligibility

Ensure that your business falls under the Eligibility requirements stated above.

Check Eligibility
Step 2.1

Advising Request (SBDCBelize)

Become a client of SBDC for business guidance to complete needed requirements.

Become a Client
Step 2.2

Business Name Registration (BCCAR)

Check name availability and register your business or company.

Register Business Name
Step 2.3

Registration with Belize Tax Service (BTS)

Set up your Belize Tax Service online account and register.

Register with BTS
Step 2.4

MSME Tax Amnesty Application Form

Submit your official application for the Amnesty certificate.

Apply Now
Step 3

Collect MSME Tax Amnesty Certificate

After seven (7) days of completion of step 2, your MSME Amnesty Certificate will be issued.
Then proceed to the BTS for verification of waiver and one (1) year exemption.

Frequently Asked Questions


You must first verify with the Belize Companies and Corporate Affairs Registry (BCCAR) that your business name is available. Once confirmed, proceed to register your business name or company before applying for the MSME Tax Amnesty Programme.
BELTRAIDE, through its Small Business Development Center (SBDC), will assist you with the registration process. In many cases, applicants can complete all requirements and receive same-day certification at the Roadshow.
Yes. The Belize Tax Service (BTS) is prepared to write off accrued penalties and interest. Once you receive your MSME Tax Amnesty Certificate, BTS will honor a backdated certificate and provide a one-year exemption on tax payments.

Note: You will still be required to pay the outstanding taxes themselves. Only penalties and interest will be waived.
These businesses can benefit from the amnesty. Once the application is completed and the MSME Tax Amnesty Certificate is issued, accrued penalties and interest will be waived. Taxes due must still be paid.
BTS acknowledges that the online system has had inefficiencies. Businesses will not be penalized where system issues prevented filing. For employees with multiple jobs, BTS will consider accumulated income to ensure fair tax assessment.
Yes. If a business files nil returns, they can still benefit from the MSME Tax Amnesty Programme for accrued penalties and interest waivers.
Professional services include businesses that primarily provide specialized expertise such as legal, accounting, consulting, medical, or engineering services. However, note that most professional and consultancy services are excluded from the Amnesty, except for registered Global Digital Services companies.
Yes. Both BTS and BELTRAIDE will provide ongoing support. BTS will assign a dedicated officer to respond to client queries, while BELTRAIDE’s SBDCBelize will continue to assist with clarifications.
BTS will make available a printout of current business tax rates categorized by type of business, ensuring transparency for all applicants.
A comprehensive list of eligible business types will be provided at the Roadshow and through the IPCU and BELTRAIDE’s SBDCBelize Unit. Businesses engaged in gaming, large-scale imports, real estate, petroleum, and other restricted sectors are not eligible.
If you submit your online application before or during the Roadshow, it can be verified and finalized at the clinic. In many cases, your certificate will be signed and approved the same day.
All applications must be submitted on or before October 29, 2025. Late applications will not be processed.
Once all steps are completed and documents verified, the certificate will be issued within seven (7) days. Applicants can then present it to the BTS for their tax waiver and one-year exemption.
Applicants must provide:
  • Copy of valid ID (passport or social security card)
  • Proof of address/tenancy (rent receipt, land title, or written permission to occupy)
  • Proof of submission of trade license application (if applicable)
  • BELTRAIDE’s SBDCBelize issued MSME client ID
Excluded sectors include:
  • Gaming and lotteries
  • Real estate and rental of goods (excluding hotels/auto rentals)
  • Professional/consultancy services (except Global Digital Services)
  • Import/wholesale/retail of petroleum products
  • Financial/money lending services
  • Entertainment promotion (except local artists)
The Roadshow will include booths staffed by each key agency:
  • BELTRAIDE (SBDC) – client ID issuance & application support
  • BCCAR – business name registration
  • BTS – tax registration and waiver processing
  • Local Government – trade license applications
  • IPCU – oversight of Amnesty applications
You only need to meet two out of the three criteria to qualify as a Micro, Small, or Medium Enterprise.

Agencies & Partners


Government of Belize BELTRAIDE Investment Policy and Compliance Unit (IPCU) Belize Tax Service Belize Companies and Corporate Affairs Registry (BCCAR) Ministry of Rural Transformation Economic Development Council (EDC)

Got Questions? Contact us

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