Puerto Rico Tax Guide

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Puerto Rico Tax Guide"

Simon Sims
6 years ago
Views:

1 Puerto Rico Tax Guide 2010

2 FOREWORD For any business looking to set up in a new market, one of the critical deciding factors will be the target country s tax regime. What is the corporate tax rate? What capital allowances can we benefit from? Are there double tax treaties? How will foreign source income be taxed? Foreword Since 1994, the PKF network of independent member firms, which is administered by PKF International Limited, has produced the PKF Worldwide Tax Guide (WWTG) to provide businesses with the answers to these key tax questions. This handy reference manual provides clients and professional practitioners with comprehensive international tax and business information for over 100 countries throughout the world. As you will appreciate, the production of the WWTG is a huge team effort and I would like to thank all the member firms of the PKF network who gave up their time to contribute the vital information on their country s taxes that forms the heart of this publication. I would also like thank Richard Jones, PKF (UK) LLP, Kevin Reilly, PKF Witt Mares, and Rachel Yeo and Scott McKay, PKF Melbourne for co-ordinating and checking the entries from within their regions. This year s WWTG is the largest ever reflecting both how the PKF network is growing and the strength of the tax capability offered by member firms throughout the world. I hope that you find that the combination of reference to the WWTG plus assistance from your local PKF member firm will provide you with the advice you need to make the right decisions for your international business. Mark Pollock PKF Perth Chairman, International Tax Committee of the PKF network I

3 IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER This publication should not be regarded as offering a complete explanation of the taxation matters that are contained within this publication. Disclaimer This publication has been sold or distributed on the express terms and understanding that the publishers and the authors are not responsible for the results of any actions which are undertaken on the basis of the information which is contained within this publication, nor for any error in, or omission from, this publication. The publishers and the authors expressly disclaim all and any liability and responsibility to any person, entity or corporation who acts or fails to act as a consequence of any reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of this publication. Accordingly no person, entity or corporation should act or rely upon any matter or information as contained or implied within this publication without first obtaining advice from an appropriately qualified professional person or firm of advisors, and ensuring that such advice specifically relates to their particular circumstances. PKF International is a network of legally independent member firms administered by PKF International Limited (PKFI). Neither PKFI nor the member firms of the network generally accept any responsibility or liability for the actions or inactions on the part of any individual member firm or firms. II

4 PREFACE The (WWTG) has been prepared to provide an overview of the taxation and business regulation regimes of over 100 of the world s most significant trading countries. In compiling this publication, member firms of the PKF network have sought to base their summaries on information current as of 30 September 2009, while also noting imminent changes where necessary. Preface On a country-by-country basis, each summary addresses the major taxes applicable to business; how taxable income is determined; sundry other related taxation and business issues; and the country s personal tax regime. The final section of each country summary sets out the Double Tax Treaty and Non-Treaty rates of tax withholding relating to the payment of dividends, interest, royalties and other related payments. While the WWTG should not to be regarded as offering a complete explanation of the taxation issues in each country, we hope readers will use the publication as their first point of reference and then use the services of their local PKF member firm to provide specific information and advice. In addition to the printed version of the WWTG, individual country taxation guides are available in PDF format which can be downloaded from the PKF website at Finally, PKF International Limited gladly welcomes any comments or thoughts readers may wish to make in order to improve this publication for their needs. Please contact Kevin F Reilly, PKF Witt Mares, Eaton Place, Suite 440, Fairfax, Virginia 22030, USA by to kreilly@pkfwittmares.com PKF INTERNATIONAL LIMITED APRIL 2010 PKF INTERNATIONAL LIMITED ALL RIGHTS RESERVED USE APPROVED WITH ATTRIBUTION VI

5 ABOUT PKF INTERNATIONAL LIMITED PKF International Limited (PKFI) administers a network of legally independent firms. The PKF network is the 11th largest global accountancy network with over 240 legally independent member and correspondent firms which have a combined annual turnover of $1.9 billion. Located in 125 countries, the member firms of the PKF network share a commitment to providing clients with high quality, partner-led services tailored to meet each client s own specific requirements. The membership base of the PKF network has grown steadily since it was formed in Added to the sustained growth in the number of PKF member firms, this solidity has provided the foundations for the global sharing of expertise, experience and skills and the development of services that meet the evolving needs of all types of client, from the individual to the multi-national corporation. Services provided by member firms include: Assurance & Advisory Insolvency Corporate & Personal Financial Planning Taxation Corporate Finance Forensic Accounting Management Consultancy Hotel Consultancy IT Consultancy Introduction PKF member firms are organised into five geographical regions covering Africa; Latin America and the Caribbean; Asia Pacific; Europe, the Middle East & India (EMEI); and North America. Each region elects representatives to the board of PKF International Limited, which administers the network. While the member firms remain separate and independent, international tax, corporate finance, professional standards, audit, hotel consultancy and business development committees also work together to improve quality standards, develop initiatives and share knowledge across the network. Please visit for more information. VII

6 STRUCTURE OF COUNTRY DESCRIPTIONS A. TAXES PAYABLE FEDERAL TAXES AND LEVIES COMPANY TAX CAPITAL GAINS TAX BRANCH PROFITS TAX SALES TAX/VALUE ADDED TAX FRINGE BENEFITS TAX LOCAL TAXES OTHER TAXES B. DETERMINATION OF TAXABLE INCOME Structure CAPITAL ALLOWANCES DEPRECIATION STOCK/INVENTORY CAPITAL GAINS AND LOSSES DIVIDENDS INTEREST DEDUCTIONS LOSSES FOREIGN SOURCED INCOME INCENTIVES C. FOREIGN TAX RELIEF D. CORPORATE GROUPS E. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS F. WITHHOLDING TAX G. EXCHANGE CONTROL H. PERSONAL TAX I. TREATY AND NON-TREATY WITHHOLDING TAX RATES VIII

7 INTERNATIONAL TIME ZONES AT 12 NOON, GREENWICH MEAN TIME, THE STANDARD TIME ELSEWHERE IS: A Angola...1 pm Argentina...9 am Australia - Melbourne...10 pm Sydney...10 pm Adelaide pm Perth...8 pm Austria...1 pm B Bahamas...7 am Bahrain...3 pm Barbados...8 am Belgium...1 pm Belize...6 am Bermuda...8 am Bolivia...8 am Botswana...2 pm Brazil am Brunei...8 pm Bulgaria pm C Cameroon...1 pm Canada - Toronto...7 am Winnipeg...6 am Calgary...5 am Vancouver...4 am Cayman Islands am Chile...8 am China - Beijing pm Colombia...7 am Costa Rica...6 am Croatia...1 pm Cyprus...2 pm Czech Republic pm D Denmark...1 pm Dominican Republic am E Ecuador...7 am Egypt...2 pm El Salvador...6 am Estonia...2 pm F Fiji...12 midnight Finland...2 pm France pm G Gambia (The) noon Germany...1 pm Ghana noon Greece...2 pm Grenada...8 am Guatemala...6 am Guernsey noon Guyana...8 am H Hong Kong...8 pm Hungary...1 pm I India pm Indonesia pm Ireland noon Israel...2 pm Italy...1 pm J Jamaica...7 am Japan...9 pm Jersey noon Jordan...2 pm K Kazakhstan...5 pm Kenya...3 pm Korea...9 pm Kuwait...3 pm L Latvia...2 pm Lebanon...2 pm Leeward Islands (Nevis, Antigua, St Kitts)....8 am Libya...2 pm Liberia noon Lithuania...2 pm Luxembourg...1 pm M Malaysia...8 pm Malta...1 pm Mauritius...4 pm Mexico...6 am Morocco noon N Namibia pm Netherlands (The) pm Netherlands Antilles am New Zealand midnight Nigeria...1 pm Norway...1 pm O Oman...4 pm P Panama am Papua New Guinea pm Peru...7 am Philippines...8 pm Poland pm Portugal...1 pm Puerto Rico...8 am Q Qatar am Romania...2 pm Russia - Moscow/St Petersburg pm S Sierra Leone noon Singapore...7 pm Slovak Republic pm South Africa...2 pm IX Time Zones

8 Spain...1 pm Swaziland...2 pm Sweden...1 pm Switzerland...1 pm T Taiwan...8 pm Tanzania...3 pm Thailand...7 pm Trinidad and Tobago am Turkey...2 pm Turks and Caicos Islands am Time Zones U Uganda...2 pm Ukraine...2 pm United Arab Emirates pm United Kingdom (GMT) 12 noon United States of America - New York City am Washington, D.C am Chicago...6 am Houston...6 am Denver...5 am Los Angeles...4 am San Francisco am Uruguay...9 am V Vanuatu...11 pm Venezuela...8 am Vietnam Z Zambia...2 pm X

9 Puerto Rico PUERTO RICO Currency: Dollar Dial Code To: 1 Dial Code Out: 011 (US$) Member Firm: City: Name: Contact Information: San Juan Jorge A Guzman jguzman@pkfpr.com A. TAXES PAYABLE FEDERAL TAXES AND LEVIES COMPANY TAX Corporations and partnerships organised or created under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are subject to tax on their worldwide income determined on a net profits basis. Puerto Rico corporations and partnerships are subject to tax on a graduated tax rate structure: there is a flat tax of 20% on the normal-tax net income ; a surtax on the normal-tax net income less surtax credit (generally $25,000) with tax rates that presently range from 5% on the first $75,000 to 19% of the surtax income in excess of $275,000; and a recovery of tax for differences in tax rates of 5% on net taxable income in excess of $500,000. The total income tax may not exceed 39% of the net taxable income of the corporation or partnership. Non-Puerto Rico corporations and partnerships having net income effectively connected with the operation of a trade or business in Puerto Rico are subject to the same income tax rates that apply to Puerto Rico corporations and partnerships. Non-effectively connected fixed or determinable annual or periodical income derived from sources within Puerto Rico by non-resident foreign corporations and partnerships is generally taxed at a rate of 29%, except that the tax rate on dividends is 10% and there is no tax on interest unless it is paid by a related party. All corporations and partnerships (with some exceptions) are subject to an alternative minimum tax if it results in a tax liability greater than the regular tax liability. The alternative minimum tax rate is a flat 22% levied on alternative minimum net income, which is generally computed by adding back to net taxable income certain items which receive preferential treatment in computing the regular tax. It does not apply to non-puerto Rico corporations and partnerships not engaged in trade or business in Puerto Rico. CAPITAL GAINS TAX Gains from the sale or exchange of capital assets held for more than six months are subject to a maximum tax of 10% for individuals and 15% for corporations. Capital losses may be carried forward for five years but may be used only against capital gains. BRANCH PROFITS TAX Puerto Rico also imposes a branch profits tax of 10% to non-puerto Rican corporations and partnerships that derive less than 80% of their gross income from Puerto Rican sources. The tax is imposed on the branch s dividend equivalent amount, which represents profits of the branch that are effectively connected with a trade or business in Puerto Rico and that are not reinvested in the Puerto Rican business operation. P SALES TAXES/VALUE ADDED TAX (VAT) From 15 November 2006 Puerto Rico has implemented a Sales and Use Tax. It is imposed at a rate of 5.5% at the state level and 1.5% at the municipality level. The new sales and use tax generally applies to all retail sales, including mail orders, sale of tangible personal property or services, admissions fees, storage, use or consumption in Puerto Rico. Limited exceptions include non-processed foods, prescription medicines, most rental of real property, and the following services: medical-hospital, professional, educational, financial, governmental, inter-business and insurance, among others. Vendors must register and collect sales tax. The sale and use tax introduced by the Act, replaces the general 6.6% excise tax applicable to most articles imported to Puerto Rico. The existing specific-item excise tax is retained for cement, cigarettes, gasoline and other fuels, vehicles and horse racing winnings. The general 6.6% excise tax is retained for plastics. OTHER TAXES Other taxes imposed by Puerto Rico include excise taxes, property taxes, unemployment insurance tax (creditable against the US unemployment tax) and licence fees on certain 1

10 Puerto Rico businesses. Municipalities also impose a municipal licence tax on the gross volume of business each year. This ranges from 27% to 50% for business establishments (including self-employed individuals) and from 1% to 1.50% for financial institutions. The sale and use tax introduced by the Act, replaces the general 6.6% excite tax applicable to most articles imported to Puerto Rico. The existence specific-item excise tax is retained for cement, cigarettes, gasoline and other fuels, vehicles and horse racing winnings. The general 6.6% excise tax is retained for plastic. B. DETERMINATION OF TAXABLE INCOME The net taxable income of a corporation or partnership is determined by subtracting all allowable deductions from gross (non-exempt) income. Generally, all expenses and losses directly connected with the trade or business may be deducted. There are, however, some special rules and limitations with respect to certain expenses and losses. DEPRECIATION Depreciable assets are written off over their useful lives under the straight-line method but fixed assets acquired by purchase during taxable years starting after 30 June 1995 may be depreciated under an accelerated cost recovery system. Goodwill acquired by purchase during taxable years starting after 30 June 1995 may be amortised for a period of 15 years under the straight-line method. DIVIDENDS Generally, Puerto Rican corporations and partnerships may deduct 85% of dividends or partnership profits received from other Puerto Rican corporations or partnerships. CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS Qualifying charitable contributions made by corporations and partnerships may be deducted in an amount not in excess of 5% of the net taxable income as computed without considering the charitable contributions. LOSSES Net operating losses incurred by a corporation or partnership may not be carried back but shall be carried over to each of the seven succeeding tax years. EXPENSES RELATED TO EXEMPT INCOME Expenses attributable to exempt income are not allowed. INSURANCE PREMIUMS Premiums on insurance policies against any risks that are paid to an insurer not authorised to contract insurance in Puerto Rico are not deductible. LIFE INSURANCE PREMIUMS Premiums paid on any life insurance policy covering the life of any officer or employee is not deductible when the corporation or partnership is a beneficiary under the policy. MEALS AND ENTERTAINMENT The deduction for meals and entertainment is limited to 50%. P INCENTIVES Puerto Rico provides tax incentives by means of special tax exemptions and deductions in specified industries. Qualifying manufacturing operations, recycling businesses, agriculture, hospital facilities, hotels and related tourist activities are eligible for partial exemption from property and municipal taxes. For the industrial development income there is a single flat income tax rate that is generally 7%. For the hospital facilities there is a tax credit of up to 15% tied to the hospital facility s payroll expense. An eligible business (engaged in business in Puerto Rico) is allowed a credit against the income tax for the purchase of products manufactured in Puerto Rico for either export or local sale consumption. The credit is 10% of the value of qualifying purchases in excess of the average value of such purchases made during the three taxable year period preceding the year in which the credit is claimed and may not reduce the income tax for any particular taxable year by more than 25%. C. FOREIGN TAX RELIEF Puerto Rico corporations and partnerships may claim a tax credit (with certain limitations) for taxes paid to a foreign jurisdiction on income taxed in Puerto Rico. Non-Puerto Rican corporations and partnerships are allowed a credit, with certain limitations, for taxes paid to a foreign jurisdiction with respect to income from sources without Puerto Rico effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within Puerto Rico. 2

11 Puerto Rico D. CORPORATE GROUPS There is no provision for consolidated tax returns. E. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Related corporations and partnerships are not allowed to file consolidated tax returns. Each corporation or partnership having a legal entity must file a separate tax return. The Secretary of the Treasury is empowered to distribute, apportion or allocate gross income, deductions, credits or allowances between related organisations if it is determined that such distribution, apportionment or allocation is necessary in order to prevent evasion of taxes or to reflect clearly the income of any of such related organisations. F. WITHHOLDING TAX Withholding taxes must be deducted from dividends, interest, rents, royalties, salaries, annuities, compensation or other fixed or determinable, annual or periodic income paid to non-resident individuals and non-puerto Rican corporations or partnerships not engaged in trade or business in Puerto Rico. No withholding is required from interest on bank deposits paid to such individuals, corporations and partnerships. Generally, the withholding rate is 29%, except that the withholding rate is 20% for non-residents who are citizens of the United States. The rate is 10% on dividends. Interest is not subject to withholding unless the debtor and recipient are related persons. Payments made to resident individuals or corporations engaged in trade or business in Puerto Rico for services rendered are subject (with some exceptions) to a withholding rate of 7% unless the recipient secures a waiver from the Secretary of the Treasury granting partial exemption from the withholding. G. EXCHANGE CONTROL No exchange controls are in effect. H. PERSONAL TAX Income tax is payable by all resident individuals on non-exempt income derived from all sources. Non-resident individuals are only required to pay tax on income from Puerto Rico sources. A resident individual is one who has been present in Puerto Rico for a period of not less than 183 days during the calendar year. Resident individuals are taxed on their net taxable income after deducting allowable deductions, personal exemptions and credits for dependents. Most individuals have their income tax withheld from salaries and wages paid by their employers. Selfemployed individuals must pay tax instalments in advance, which are credited against their tax liability for the year. The income tax rates for resident individuals range from 7% on the first $2,000 of net taxable income to 33% on net taxable income in excess of $50,000. Individuals with adjusted gross income in excess of $75,000 are subject to an alternative basic tax if the amount of such tax is higher than the individual s regular tax. P The tax rates for non-resident individuals (not United States citizens) with income effectively connected with a trade or business in Puerto Rico are the same as those for resident individuals. Citizens of the United States are taxed at the same rates applicable to residents of Puerto Rico whether or not they are engaged in trade or business in Puerto Rico. I. TREATY AND NON-TREATY WITHHOLDING TAX RATES No treaties are signed or in force. 3

Bahamas Tax Guide 2010

Bahamas Tax Guide 2010 FOREWORD For any business looking to set up in a new market, one of the critical deciding factors will be the target country s tax regime. What is the corporate tax rate? What capital