Belize City’s Property Taxes Are Going Up This Year 

Belize City homeowners will see an increase in property taxes in 2026. The increase reflects the first adjustment to the city’s valuation system in more than thirteen years.

The last valuation model was updated in 2013. After more than a decade without changes, City Hall says the system no longer reflects current market realities or the cost of providing municipal services.

Under the revised model, property taxes will increase by 18%. However, according to officials, the real impact for many residents will be far lower.

During an appearance on Open Your Eyes today, Valuation Manager Troy Smith said that the council faced pressure to act as service demands continued to grow. “If we use proper rental value now and market value now, it will be nearly forty-eight to fifty percent adjustment in taxes, and the council said, no, no,” Smith stated. “So we decided to do an overall assessment, and we came up with a value of eighteen percent for occupied properties, which is minimal.”

Smith added that homeowners who pay on time will benefit from a 15% incentive discount.

“So, if you have a property and you’re paying $120, you might end up paying $148. Out of that, we will give a fifteen percent incentive discount,” he said.

The Council says the adjustment is aimed at sustaining services rather than overburdening residents.