The Congress approved extending until December 31, 2017 the deadline for the period of amnesty for tax and customs fees contained in article 213 of the Tax Code.
From a statement issued by the Congress of Honduras:
September 27th.The Mobile Congress held in Choluteca on Wednesday, approved a decree aimed at extending the amnesty until December 31, 2017, for tax and customs fees contained in Article 213 of the Tax Code, amended by Decree 32-2017 .
September 30 is the deadline for companies to take advantage of the amnesty for regularization in the payment of income tax.
Latribuna.hn reports that "...The Legal Adviser of the Honduran Council of Private Enterprise (Cohep), Gustavo Solórzano, explained that the benefit of regularization consists of the payment of 1.5% on income from one of the last five years, or from 2012 to date.He also stressed that now, with the extension, "it includes up until December 2016, so it covers the entire fiscal period."
A grace period has been granted up until October 5, 2015, for filing in the tax return without penalties charged for delays.
From a statement issued by the Executive Directorate of Revenue (DEI):
Tegucigalpa, published on August 5 - Tax Amnesty for fines caused by non-submission of tax declaration.
Decree No. 66-2015, which extends the amnesty provided for in 140-2014, was recently approved, by which 60 calendar days are granted from the day following the publication in La Gaceta, in order for tax declarations to be settled without incurring penalties from the Executive Management and Revenue (DEI).
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.
They undermine the principle of tax justice and the morality of honest taxpayers, hindering equal competition and promoting impunity.
From a statement by the ICEFI:
Guatemala, June 14, 2013
- The approved decree contains a greater amount of tax amnesty, in which benefits are given to delinquent taxpayers and those who have operated at unfair advantage over those who pay their taxes correctly and on time, even aggravating the negative consequences of the tax amnesty applied in 2011. This action violates the principle of tax justice and the morality of honest taxpayers, constituting an obstacle to a desirable climate of competition on equal terms, clear rules and ones which combat impunity.
The private sector in Honduras is protesting that the tax amnesty will not benefit small entrepreneurs .
In a letter sent by Mario Bustillo, director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Tegucigalpa (CCIT) to the Finance Secretary, Wilfredo Cerrato, the official explained that persons and corporations whose declared gross income was lower than $1.57 million were excluded from the amnesty.
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 .
Given the low tax collection, the plenary of the legislature has approved an extension, until December 31, 2012, for the Tax Amnesty Act.
The new amnesty favors those taxpayers who, for financial reasons, had failed to meet their tax obligations and make tax payments for tax year 2011.
"The decree empowers the Attorney General's Office (PGR in Spanish) to arrange collection, sign agreements for payments, and make the waivers in the case.
Contributors who are behind in their payments will be charged neither fees nor interests.
The amnesty applies for taxes related to construction permits, public services, real estate, industry and commerce, and other related to municipalities.
Ada Muñoz, from the municipality of San Pedro Sula, called on citizens to get up to date in their taxes, by taking advantage of this benefit, which runs from April 22 to September 30.
A tax amnesty, discussed by the Executive, congressmen and the private companies could be shortly approved in Congress.
Honduran businessmen, represented by Cohep (Honduran Private Enterprise Council), consider that the measure would stimulate people and companies to pay their taxes.
“This amnesty does not forgive what is owed in taxes. It comprises installment plans to pay surcharges, fines and moratory interests”, reported La Tribuna.
The Executive, Congress and delegates from the private enterprise are analyzing a possible tax amnesty.
They are also considering various initiatives to make the country climb out of the economic crisis.
Congressman Toribio Aguilera explained that this tax amnesty would benefit “those taxpayers who have been unable to pay due to the crisis, and now accumulate too many fines and charges”.
The Honduran Congress will approve a tax amnesty law in the coming days that will be in effect for the entire month of July.
During this period, taxpayers who are behind in their tax payments may make their payments without any late interest fees.
A Tiempo.hn article stated that “taxes owed in San Pedro Sula are upwards of $42 million (800 million Lempiras). Authorities believe this amount will be greatly reduced though amnesty."