Belize vs Nicaragua
Corporate Tax Comparison
Time of Update: Belize: 4/01/2026 / Nicaragua: 4/06/2026
Compare Belize and Nicaragua corporate tax rates, filing due dates, withholding tax, VAT, capital gains tax, and effective tax metrics for cross-border company planning.
Belize vs Nicaragua Corporate Tax Comparison
Basic Corporate Tax Comparison
Corporate Income Tax (CIT)
Belize
Nicaragua
General CIT Rate:
Companies in the oil industry: Subject to 25% income tax.
Most other businesses: Primarily subject to Business Tax levied on gross revenue / gross income, with common rates such as:
Other trading or businesses: 1.75%
Real estate income (rent, royalties, premiums, etc.): 3%
Professional / occupational income: 6%
Income from commissions, royalties, dividends, etc.: 15%
Financial institutions: 15%
Most other businesses: Primarily subject to Business Tax levied on gross revenue / gross income, with common rates such as:
Other trading or businesses: 1.75%
Real estate income (rent, royalties, premiums, etc.): 3%
Professional / occupational income: 6%
Income from commissions, royalties, dividends, etc.: 15%
Financial institutions: 15%
General CIT Rate:
headline rate of 30%
CIT Return Due Date:
Annual tax returns must be filed by March 31 of the subsequent tax year.
CIT Return Due Date:
within two months following the fiscal year-end
CIT Payment Due Date:
Monthly business tax payments must be filed by the 15th day of each month, covering receipts for the previous month.
CIT Payment Due Date:
due within two months after the end of the fiscal year
CIT Estimated Payment Due Date:
Estimated tax payments follow the same monthly schedule as business tax payments.
CIT Estimated Payment Due Date:
Monthly advance payments of 1-3% of gross income
Withholding Tax (WHT)
Belize
Nicaragua
Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
15/NA/NA
Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
15/15/15
None-Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
15/15/0
None-Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
15/15/15
Value-Added Tax (VAT)
Capital Gain Tax (CGT)
Belize
Nicaragua
General Capital Gain Tax Rate:
N/A
General Capital Gain Tax Rate:
15%
Effective Tax Rate (ETR)
Belize
Nicaragua
Composite Effective Average Tax Rate:
25%
Composite Effective Average Tax Rate:
26.85%
Composite Effective Marginal Tax Rate:
25%
Composite Effective Marginal Tax Rate:
12.89%
