The Executive Directorate of Revenue has announced that as part of the changes in the audit and tax collection it will oversee the transfer prices of companies headquartered abroad.
In addition to the implementation of electronic billing and other changes that aim to improve the supervision of tax collections, the Executive Directorate of Revenue (DEI) has announced that foreign companies or Honduran companies whose headquarters are outside of the country must report in detail their transfer prices.
1.5% of total gross sales must be paid even if the company does not generate profits.
As provided for in Article 22-A of the Act on Public Finance Planning "... all companies with earnings of 10 million Lempiras ($480,000) per year must pay 1.5 on their gross sales even if they have had losses."
The business association opposes this tribute "... it affects the economics of their business because gross sales do not determine profits of the business "... and they are considering taking legal action against the provision.
An announcement has been made that greater control will be exerted in verifying payments of income taxes by large taxpayers.
Due to the decline in revenue from income tax and irregularities in the internal collection agency, the Directorate of Revenue has announced it will increase controls on businesses.
In an article on Latribuna.hn Miriam Guzman, head of the institution, "emphasized that the auditing by the DEI, will not decrease, while at the same time business owners are being invited to "avoid having to be objects in criminal prosecutions led by the relevant authorities."
Issuers of invoices, receipts and other tax documents may only print on approved printers.
A new billing system that will be implemented by the Executive Directorate of Revenue (DEI) aims to reduce evasion of Sales Tax. "... it will control and regulate the printing of tax documents, such as bills, notes, tickets, rent receipts, fees, debit notes, credit, reference guides, proof of tax on earnings ...", noted an article in Latribuna.hn .
A law decree under discussion in Congress seeks to grant a tax amnesty on penalties and interest to taxpayers with outstanding accounts with the State.
The draft submitted by the secretary of the CN, Rigoberto Chang Castillo, would grant amnesty to tax charges such as taxes and contributions for improvements, fees, surcharges, fines and surcharges, which must be paid no later than July 31 of the current year .
Businesses complain that the new law will give unlimited power to tax authorities to seize companies's information.
Armando Urtecho, director of the Honduran National Business Council (Cohep in Spanish), added that, "we are against too much power being given to the tax authority (DEI in Spanish) with less capacity remaining with judges to decide what is appropriate," reports Elheraldo.hn.
As a measure to control tax evasion, the Revenue Executive Department will implement the use of electronic billing.
Officials of the Department of Revenue will report on the implementation and which companies will be required to sell under this system.
"We will 'outsource' the automation of the invoicing process. Currently the Executive Department of Revenue and the Ministry of Finance, are working to develop the regulatory framework, using the successful experiences of Argentina, Chile, Ecuador and Guatemala" reports Latribuna.hn.
Despite a fall in imports, with the new Automated system "Sarah", customs income rose 10% to 15%.
During its first months of operation, the Honduran Automated Customs Rents System (SARAH, acronym in Spanish), was criticized by exporters and customs agencies, who complained of complications and difficulties using the system.
Elheraldo.hn publishes: "Inés Zablah, board member at the Commerce and Industries Chamber of Honduras, assured that Sarah implementation at customs has been better in the last weeks".
The National Association of Honduran Customs Agents complained about the difficulties with the Honduran Automated System for Customs Income (SARAH).
In an interview with Hondudiario.com, the vice president of the National Association of Honduran Customs Agents (FENADUANAH), Gustavo Chévez, indicated that the system implemented by the Executive Directorate of Revenue (DEI) "has generated more losses instead of profits for Customs."