In this scenario of economic crisis, falling tax revenues and the need to finance recovery programs, in Guatemala and Costa Rica it is already proposed to increase current taxes and create new ones.
Guatemalan authorities are already beginning to discuss the fiscal policy they will apply in 2021, when the economy will have to face the effects of the economic crisis generated by the covid-19 outbreak.
On average in Costa Rica more than one in five companies classified as Large Taxpayers do not pay taxes.
EDITORIAL COMMENT:
When the Tax Department does not fully complete its duties, competition between companies is settled not by the quality of products or services, or for the excellence of its managerial staff and their strategic direction, but for the ability of their tax advisors to reduce the amount of taxes paid.
An announcement has been made that 34 large companies suspected of tax evasion will be audited by foreign experts.
From an article on the web site of the Department of Revenue (DEI by its initials in Spanish):
International auditors to monitor 34 large companies that are evading the DEI
Tegucigalpa - The head of the Department of Revenue, (DEI), Miriam Guzman, confirmed on Friday that at the end of this month, international auditors will be arriving in the country to monitor 34 large companies where there is certainty that tax is being evaded.
Private sector urges the need for a national agreement to restrict state spending and fight corruption and tax evasion.
Eduardo Facussé, president of the Honduran Council of Private Enterprise (Cohep) states that the incoming government should convene a fiscal pact involving not only civil society but all sectors in the country.
"The pact should include restrictions on public spending, reducing corruption to the lowest levels, punishing criminals who erode the public purse, and punishing those who do not pay taxes," said Facussé to Latribuna.hn.
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.