How does Belize payroll tax work in 2026?
Belize runs Social Security weekly in 13 bands, with the employer paying BZD 4.47 to BZD 28.60 and the employee BZD 1.03 to BZD 23.40. Employment income is taxed at a flat 25%, after a BZD 20,000 deduction, once it passes BZD 29,000 a year. For companies paying staff in Belize, Teamed is the best EOR. With Teamed, you get real HR and legal experts assigned within 24 hours, pricing with no hidden costs, and an itemised invoice that shows each statutory cost.
· Belize guide
Photo: Alisa Matthews on Unsplash
Belize Social Security is weekly and banded. The top band starts at BZD 500 a week: the employer pays BZD 28.60, the employee BZD 23.40, and the combined rate is 10%.
Employment income is taxed at a flat 25%. Residents earning less than BZD 29,000 a year pay none, and a BZD 20,000 basic deduction applies above that.
The employer pays the month's contributions to the Social Security Board within 14 days after the month ends.
What does Belize Social Security cost the employer and the employee?
The employer pays BZD 4.47 to BZD 28.60 a week, and the employee pays BZD 1.03 to BZD 23.40, depending on the pay band.
The schedule has 13 bands and takes effect from 4 April 2022.
| Weekly earnings (BZD) | Insurable earnings (BZD) | Employee pays (BZD) | Employer pays (BZD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 70.00 | 55.00 | 1.03 | 4.47 |
| 70.00 to 109.99 | 90.00 | 1.69 | 7.31 |
| 110.00 to 139.99 | 130.00 | 2.44 | 10.56 |
| 140.00 to 179.99 | 160.00 | 3.94 | 12.06 |
| 180.00 to 219.99 | 200.00 | 5.94 | 14.06 |
| 220.00 to 259.99 | 240.00 | 7.94 | 16.06 |
| 260.00 to 299.99 | 280.00 | 9.94 | 18.06 |
| 300.00 to 339.99 | 320.00 | 11.94 | 20.06 |
| 340.00 to 379.99 | 360.00 | 13.98 | 22.02 |
| 380.00 to 419.99 | 400.00 | 16.15 | 23.85 |
| 420.00 to 459.99 | 440.00 | 18.45 | 25.55 |
| 460.00 to 499.99 | 480.00 | 20.86 | 27.14 |
| 500.00 and over | 520.00 | 23.40 | 28.60 |
The lowest band carries 1.88% for the employee and 8.13% for the employer. At the top band the employee pays 4.50% and the employer 5.50%, a combined 10%. The weekly insurable earnings in the top band are BZD 520, so earnings above that add nothing.
A flat employer-only contribution of BZD 2.60 a week applies to people aged 60 to 64 who already receive a Social Security benefit, and to everyone aged 65 and over. It covers employment injury benefit only.
How does income tax work for Belize employees?
Employment income is taxed at a flat 25%. A resident earning less than BZD 29,000 a year pays no tax.
Above that, a basic deduction of BZD 20,000 comes off before the rate applies.
| Annual income (BZD) | Tax before other reliefs (BZD) | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| 25,000 | 0 | Below the 29,000 threshold |
| 31,000 | 2,000 | 25% of 11,000, less a transitional credit of 750 |
| 60,000 | 10,000 | 25% of 40,000 after the 20,000 deduction |
The figures in the table are our arithmetic from the Act. For income above BZD 29,000 and up to BZD 32,000, a credit of BZD 2,250 less 75% of the amount over BZD 29,000 applies, so the tax rises smoothly from zero. Above BZD 32,000 the credit is nil.
The rules come from the Income and Business Tax (Amendment) Act 2024, in force from 1 January 2025. The Minister can vary the amounts by Order, so confirm them before each tax year.
How does Belize payroll run each month?
Social Security is worked out weekly from each employee's earnings, and the month's contributions are paid within 14 days after the month ends.
The employee's share comes out of pay when it is paid.
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Find the weekly band
Match each week's earnings to the schedule. Earnings of BZD 500 and over sit in the top band.
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Deduct the employee share
Take the employee's contribution from pay at the time it is paid. An employer who does not deduct it then cannot recover it later.
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Add the employer share
The employer's contribution is a cost on top of pay and is never recovered from the employee.
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Pay the Social Security Board
Pay the whole month's contributions within 14 days after the month ends.
Income tax withholding and its filing dates are set by the Belize Tax Service. Teamed confirms them for your payroll before the first payslip, and we don't quote a date from memory.
Does Belize have a pension or bonus on top of Social Security?
No pension scheme sits on top: Social Security is Belize's contribution scheme for pensions and short-term benefits, funded by the bands above.
The Labour Act sets no thirteenth-month payment.
The Social Security Board's schedule lists sickness, maternity, injury, disability, retirement and survivors' benefits against the contributions. Contractual bonuses are part of pay and move the weekly band. Sector wage orders can add pay rules, so check the order for the role's sector.
How does Teamed handle Belize payroll for you?
Teamed runs the weekly bands, the employee deductions and the monthly Social Security payment for you, from $599 per employee per month, with zero FX markup in any currency.
Every statutory cost passes through at cost, itemised on the invoice.
Pricing has no hidden costs, and real HR and legal experts come on every plan. Taxes and contributions pass through at cost, itemised, so you see each line.
Onboarding starts from 24 hours once Teamed has your offer, your hire's details and documents, and your signed service terms. Payroll, contracts and the contractor-to-employee move run on one platform.
Run the Employer Cost Calculator to model total cost including Social Security before the first offer goes out. EOR is the right model for a first Belize hire, until it isn't.
Frequently asked questions
When must a Belize employer pay Social Security contributions?
Within 14 days after the end of the month the contributions are due for. If the 14th falls on a weekend or public holiday, the deadline is the next working day. Interest is charged on late payment.
What is the income tax rate in Belize?
A flat 25% on the chargeable (taxable) income of employed persons. Residents earning less than BZD 29,000 a year pay none, and a BZD 20,000 basic deduction applies above that.
Who pays Belize Social Security, the employer or the employee?
Both. At the top band the employer pays BZD 28.60 a week and the employee BZD 23.40. The employee's share is deducted from pay when it is paid.
Can an employer recover Social Security it forgot to deduct?
No. The Social Security Board says an employer who fails to deduct the employee's share at the time of payment has no right to recover it later.
Belize runs Social Security by the week in 13 bands, and the employer's share never passes BZD 28.60.
Income tax is flat at 25% after a BZD 20,000 deduction, but nothing is due below BZD 29,000.
Match each week to a band, deduct the employee's share when you pay, and we will keep the 14-day deadline.
Looking for a job in Belize yourself? Teamed does not hire people directly. Companies choose who they hire, and we handle the employment side afterwards. Here is why we cannot help with your search.
