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.
In the first quarter of the year diesel and gasoline consumption decreased by 19% and 21% respectively compared to the same period in 2013, revealing the extent of the decline in economic activity.
In the first three months of the year fuel imports decreased by 12% compared to the same period in 2013, according to reports from the Central Bank of Honduras (BCH), reflecting slower economic growth, as confirmed by representatives of private enterprise.
Modeled on how fuel markets work in El Salvador and Guatemala, the government and private sector are looking at liberalization.
Due to the increasing prices of gasoline in Honduras, the private sector and the Government are considering liberalizing fuel prices, as has already been implemented in other countries in the region.
"If the mechanisms exists and there is control, this is an option.
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.
"We cannot continue to be a region where trade is moving at 15 kph when developed countries have cargo moving at 60 kph."
Employers believe that border points and customs offices in Central America are limiting their work and reducing their competitiviness despite the fact that they have been selling products to each other for over a decade.
"We cannot continue to be a region where trade is moving at 15 kph when developed countries have cargo moving at 60 kph," said Jorge Daboub, president of the Federation of Private Entities of Central America, Panama and the Dominican Republic (FEDEPRICAP).
Through the Electric Interconnection System for Central America costs incurred from thermal generation in the country could be cut.
Accelerating the implementation of renewable energy projects or buying the shortfall in energy in the regional market rather than renewing contracts that are expiring with thermal generators are the alternatives being proposed by the private sector to "lower pressure" on finances of the National Electricity Company (ENEE) .
The Honduran Council of Private Enterprise is asking the Government to expedite arrangements for meat packers to export their products to Europe.
According to Aline Flores, president of the Honduran Council of Private Enterprise (Cohep), "what we are asking about, so we can be fully prepared, are some registrations that have to be filed with various government offices especially in the issue of meat and other products because there are certain phytosanitary requirements to be met in the European market. "
The Customs Economic Operator project seeks to facilitate a safe way for customs clearance for imports and exports.
From a press release issued by the Executive Directorate of Revenue (DEI):
The advances in the Customs Economic Operator project (OAE by its initials in Spanish) to safely facilitate clearance of goods at regional and global level by Honduran private companies, were presented by the Executive Directorate of Revenue (DEI), in a workshop entitled "Developing a competitive advantage in today's market through public-private dialogue. "
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.
Some companies are moving their offices to other countries in the region and others are abandoning the idea of settling up in the country because of insecurity.
So said the president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Tegucigalpa (CCIT), Aline Flores, in light of the revival of agrarian conflict in the Lower Aguán region, requesting swift action by the government.
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
When expressing their support, private enterprises proposed an additional 10% income tax.
Leaders of the Honduran Council of Private Enterprises, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Cortés, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Tegucigalpa, the Honduran Federation of Agriculture and Livestock Breeders, among others, expressed their support for Roberto Micheletti's government.
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