Despite a severe economic crisis, Costa Rican authorities have approved the imposition of a 1% VAT on several foodstuffs in the basic food basket, and 4% on certain tourist activities and construction services.
Before the emergence of the pandemic, the Costa Rican economy was already in a difficult state, and the impact of the covid-19 outbreak ended up hitting it in the worst way, which is evident in the performance of productive activity.
In order to give individuals and corporations the opportunity to catch up with this obligation interrupted by the pandemic, authorities extended until July 17 the deadline for declaring income tax payments.
The term to cancel this commitment with the Panamanian State expired on March 31, 2020, and an extension was added until May 30, given the circumstances with the effects of covid-19, the difficulties presented by many companies and the time needed by public accountants to submit such statements, explained the representatives of the General Directorate of Revenue (DGI).
Guatemala's private sector filed a legal action against the Superintendence of Tax Administration, arguing that the entity had indicated that it would defer tax collection if the restrictions remained in place, but did not do so.
While the health emergency lasts in El Salvador, online purchases made by individuals from U.S. companies, which do not exceed $200, will not pay taxes.
In response to the outbreak of covid-19 in the country, the Law on Facilitation of Online Purchases was issued, which allows for the promotion and facilitation of the import of goods or merchandise of a non-commercial nature, i.e. for personal use, by Salvadorans through online purchases, according to a statement by the Assembly.
During the state of health emergency in the country, taxpayers who cannot use tax equipment and billing systems because their shops or offices are closed will be exempt from using these tools.
Following the spread of covid-19 the General Directorate of Revenue (DGI) explained that businesses may stop using fiscal equipment and invoicing systems, however, these taxpayers are required to document their operations through equivalent reports such as manual or pre-printed invoices, thus complying with the formalities established by law.
Faced with the health crisis affecting the Salvadoran economy, businessmen from the industrial sector asked the government to postpone income tax declarations until June 2020.
Another of the specific requests of the Salvadoran Association of Industrialists (ASI), is the prompt refund to exporters of Value Added Tax, through Treasury Notes.
Companies that owe taxes to the Costa Rica Tourism Institute will be granted a moratorium during April, May, June and July.
Regarding the taxes to which the moratorium will apply, the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) reported they are 5% for the sale of each air ticket originating in Costa Rica for international travel, in addition to the 5% that applies to the purchase of tickets whose destination is our country. Also included is the $15 fee for the entry of each tourist by air.
Implementing a rescue plan in which SAT makes tax collections more flexible and IGSS assists employees is part of the proposal of Guatemalan businessmen in the commercial and service sector, given the crisis that has been generated by the health emergency.
Extension of deadlines for the payment of taxes and flexibility in the submission of income tax returns by natural and legal persons are some of the measures that the authorities will implement in the context of the Covid-19 crisis.
With no details on the new deadlines that will be required of taxpayers, the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) reported that the measures are contained in Executive Decree 252 of March 24.
The Superintendence of Tax Administration declared the days between March 24 and April 14 as non-working days for the purposes of calculating the periods established in the tax legislation.
On March 24, Resolution of the Superintendence of Tax Administration Number SAT-DSI-280-2020 was published in the Official Journal, in which the days of March 24, 25, 26, 27, 30 and 31, 2020, and April 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 13 and 14, 2020, inclusive, were declared non-working days for purposes of deferring the computation of the terms established in the tax legislation and the internal administrative procedures of this entity.
As a result of the economic effects that the outbreak of covid-19 will cause in the National Assembly, a general suspension of the payment of taxes, basic services and bank credits for three months is proposed, but the businessmen think that it is not suitable to generalize the measures.
Bill No. 390, which proposes the suspension of payments and collections of taxes, social security contributions, mortgage loans, commercial and agricultural loans, is advancing in the National Assembly.
The National Assembly of Panama approved in second debate the draft law that extends the period of tax amnesty until June 30, 2020.
The initiative proposes that up to 85% of the total interest, surcharges and fines be recognized if payment is made after February 29, 2020 until June 30 of the same year, so that taxpayers may proceed to make their corresponding payments or credits.
In view of the emergency arising from the spread of covid-19, a bill was submitted to the Assembly proposing a 90-calendar-day suspension of the payment of municipal and national taxes.
The initiative also establishes the suspension for 90 days of the payment of electricity and drinking water, as well as mortgage and personal loans, among others, reported the National Assembly.
A three-month moratorium on the payment of value added taxes, business income and customs duties is the proposal of the Executive in view of the emergency caused by the spread of covid-19 in the country.
The initiative "COVID-19 Tax Relief Project", which was presented to the Legislative Assembly on March 16, proposes that taxpayers can postpone the payment of taxes for at least three months. During this period no fines or interest will be applied to those who take advantage of this moratorium.
The Legislative Assembly approved in second debate a bill that aims to tax in the country the sale and self-consumption of imported or locally produced cement.
The initiative, which was approved in the first debate in the Assembly in mid-February and is still pending approval by the Executive Branch, establishes that the tax will be on imported cement produced nationally, in bags or in bulk, for sale or self-consumption, of any kind, whose destination is the consumption and marketing of the product nationally.
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