The Constitutional Court has rejected the constitutional challenge presented by the business sector and left in place the collection of 1.5% income tax.
The Supreme Court has confirmed the income tax of 1.5%, which applies to companies reporting net sales of over $456 000, leaving exempt from this charge those reporting lesser incomes and those with less than two years of being established.
Business leaders say that amnesties on tax debts are an unjust punishment for companies that meet their tax obligations on time.
Private enterprises have criticized the inconsistency of state powers who on the one hand are seeking to increase revenue and on the other, reward and promote the culture of "no pay", stating that tax amnesties do not benefit the country.
The recently published new legislation establishes an increase of 12% to 15% in sales tax.
The Law on Ordering Public Finance, Control of Exemptions and Antievasion Measures includes 72 foods which had been excluded from payment of Sales Tax (ISV by its initials in Spanish) among which are ribs of beef, pork, chicken, natural cows milk, pasteurized milk, whole milk powder, butter and others.
In Honduras, representatives from private companies request that the names of 34 large taxpayers who are allegedly evading paying their taxes be made public.
The president of the Honduran Council of Private Enterprise (COHEP), Aline Flores, has called for the publication of the names of large companies that are allegedly evading their tax obligations.
The Honduran Council of Private Enterprise is warning about a potential loss of competitiveness for companies investing in the country.
Through its president, Aline Flores, the COHEP (Honduran Council of Private Enterprise) is opposing a new tax package sent to Congress by the government.
According to Flores, the "Law of rationalization of tax breaks and control of public spending in order to strengthen public finances" will affect the competitiveness of businesses and the investment climate, which could be a disadvantage in terms of regional competition, reported LaPrensa.hn.
With the publication in the official daily newspaper, a 1% increase on income tax (ISR) comes into force.
The amendment to the income tax law adopted by Congress applies only to companies with revenues in excess of $529 thousand (10 million lempiras). The increase will be applicable for the fiscal year beginning in 2011.
"According to the Executive Directorate of Revenue (DEI), the amendment adds 1% to the gross revenue for the tax period and corresponds to physical and legal persons who declare losses for two, three, four and up to 10 years without paying any tax" , noted an article in Elheraldo.hn