Over 800 Businesses to Benefit from Belize MSME Tax Amnesty Programme

Belize has recorded a strong national response to its latest effort aimed at supporting small businesses, following the conclusion of the 2025 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Tax Amnesty Programme.  According to a press release issued today, the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Investment, the programme received a total of nine hundred and nine applications from businesses across the country. Of those, eight hundred and six MSMEs have been approved to date, granting them a one-year tax amnesty from the issuance of their certificates, along with relief from accumulated penalties and interest tied to business tax obligations.  The initiative, implemented through the Investment Policy and Compliance Unit in collaboration with Belize Tax Services, BELTRAIDE, the Economic Development Council, and other key agencies, was rolled out nationwide between October 1 and December 31, 2025. Outreach efforts included a series of roadshows in major municipalities and rural communities, aimed at increasing accessibility and participation.  Officials say the programme has played a key role in helping businesses formalize their operations, improve compliance with national tax regulations, and regularize their standing with regulatory bodies, including the Companies Registry and local town and city councils.  Regionally, the highest level of participation came from the Cayo, Belize, and Stann Creek districts, which together accounted for sixty-five percent of all applications. The remaining submissions were recorded across Orange Walk, Corozal, and Toledo.  By sector, retail trade led with just over twenty-five percent of applications, followed by food and beverage services at just over twenty percent. Other notable sectors included personal services, tourism and recreation, and accommodation and hospitality, highlighting continued engagement from Belize’s service-driven economy.  The Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Investment say they have taken note of the challenges raised by MSMEs during the process and are now working on new policies and legislative measures to further support business growth and strengthen economic resilience nationwide.//////