Two years behind schedule, an announcement has been made that in January 2017 the electronic billing system will be implemented by Empresa de Servicios Públicos de Heredia.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance in Costa Rica:
Empresa de Servicios Públicos de Heredia (ESPH), was selected by the Ministry of Finance for the development, implementation and operation of an electronic invoicing system, which will start in January 2017.ESPH together with another company which is a specialist in the subject, will be responsible for developing the software and putting into use the technology platform (networks, servers, connectivity, among other things, as well as the reception, validation and storage of electronic receipts or invoices.
A proposal has been made to include new revenue figures, notify companies via email and to make audit processes simpler.
The bill that the Executive Directorate of Revenue has under public consultation envisages changes in the mechanisms through which requests are received or delivered as well as notices regarding tax payments. Laprensa.hn reports that "...
In 4 out of 10 businesses inspected in the provinces of Puntarenas, Guanacaste, Heredia and Alajuela, the Ministry of Finance detected some degree of tax noncompliance.
According to authorities, in March of this year 51% of businesses in Guanacaste and 49% in Puntarenas had fiscal irregularities. During June in Guanacaste the proportion of errors rose to 53% and fell to 44% in Puntarenas.
Tuesday 14
Monthly income tax deductions for employees -
Deductions for capital income on property and goods (interest)
ISR Declaration on income from capital from property and goods (if not retained)
ISR Declaration on income from capital gains
Memorandum on submissions of tax reports for sales inventories up to June 30 to be handed in by taxpayers to the SAT before July 31, 2015.
Tax Memorandum of Tezó and Associates:
Article 42 of Decree No. 10-2012, and Article 32 of its Regulations regulate taxpayers in the Regime for Nonprofit Activities, must report to the SAT inventories for stocks available for sale as at 30 June December 31 each year.
The 100 largest taxpayers registered with the Ministry of Finance paid tax equivalent to 2% of their annual gross income.
Representatives from the department stated that they will start investigating some companies this year who have reported losses or very low taxation, "... and for that reason, asked for a refund of income tax (ISR). If the investigations show any irregularity, we will monitor this type of business, said Minister Carlos Caceres to Elmundo.com.sv. "
If the Treasury's proposal succeeds, interest on bank deposits would incur 8% to 15%, while for revenues generated by mutual funds, the tax would rise from 5% to 15%.
This unification is due to the fact that currently there are different taxes for similar types of income, therefore the tax is not neutral, according to the CEO of Taxation. In the case of surplus cooperatives and solidarity associations, the project proposes "...
The Tax Authority has announced the implementation of its program of massive audits of firms for March and April.
From a statement issued by the Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT):
The Tax Authority within its functions to monitor compliance with tax obligations and billing for services and sale of products, is now conducting checks on billing and fixed points at different types of existing businesses.
Requests have been made for the clarification of which telecommunications services are to be taxed with VAT, since it is unclear whether it is information services or telecommunications which would be taxed.
Currently telecommunications services are charged sales tax, even though the Costa Rican government aims to close the digital divide. With this new reform proposal, a Value Added Tax (VAT) of 15%, "would be incurred ...
As part of the agreements signed between the two governments the elimination of double taxation has been established.
From a statement issued by the Government of Guatemala:
Within the framework of an official visit by President Otto Perez Molina which will took place on Friday, the Governments of Guatemala and Mexico signed the following bilateral agreements:
The Attorney General's Office is recommending to the Constitutional Court that it reject the appeal which seeks to outlaw the power of the taxation department to proactively collect tax debts.
The appeal to the Constitutional Court by a group of taxpayers is still under consideration by the judges and although there is still no resolution to this effect, the Attorney General of the Republic "...
Despite several announcements of new taxes, the government will focus on controlling tax evasion and leave the decision to implement a tax reform to future administrations.
According to authorities at the Ministry of Finance, at the moment there is no consensus for fiscal reform. The priority now will be to pursue and strengthen tax administration in order to meet budget expenditures this year.
Less complex administrative systems and a simplified tax system are the requests made by the private sector to the government in order to improve the country's competitiveness.
In order to improve competitiveness and the business climate, the Honduran Council of Private Enterprise has asked the government to simplify the tax code and streamline public procedures.
In an attempt to increase tax revenues, the executive announced that it is now considering taxing the distribution of soft drinks such as juices, isotonics and sodas.
It is expected that in the first week of February analysis will be presented of modifications to the tax on the distribution of beverages and on tobacco and tobacco products, with the aim of obtaining more resources to finance the national budget for this year.
On January 2nd the tax paid for building permits issued by the municipality of San Miguelito rose by 40%.
In the last 15 years the cost of building permits in the Municipality of San Miguelito has not been reviewed or adjusted, according to representatives of the entity. Because of this, the municipal authorities announced the increase of 40%, which they attributed the increase in building materials and labor in the last year.