Dominican Taxation and Tax Treaties ratified by the Dominican Republic consist of the following:

Income tax: The Dominican Government levies corporate income tax at the flat rate of 27% on profit after allowable tax deductions. The basis for determining taxable income is locally sourced income and foreign source income derived from investment and financial gains. There are very few differences between statutory profit and taxable profit, apart from the various adjustments required by tax law and the use of existing loss carryforwards (the loss carryforward is five years). The most common deductions allowed are depreciation, tax expense, interest expense and management and service fees/royalties. The last two are deductible to the extent that they are in accordance with the arms- length principle and withholding taxes have been paid. Furthermore, the Dominican Tax Administration has issued safe harbor rules for thin capitalization purposes.

Capital gains: Capital gains are subject to income tax at a 27% rate. The basis for determining a capital gain or loss is the purchase cost of the capital asset adjusted by local inflationary rules, which is deducted from its sales price or transfer value. The tax basis is decreased by depreciation and other reduction concepts and increased by improvements. Capital losses which exceed capital gains in a given period may be credited against future capital gains.

Asset tax: An Asset’s tax is levied at a 1% rate over the assets reflected in the balance sheet, after depreciation and other deductions have been made. Stock investments in other companies and real estate assets located in rural zones are exempted. Such tax rate shall decrease 0.5% in 2015, and eliminated in 2016 and substituted with the real estate tax, provided that certain tax pressure goals are achieved. Payment of the asset tax is divided in two quotas and the same may be credited with the income tax payable. In the event that the liquidated amount for income tax is equal or higher to that of the asset’s tax, no asset tax shall be paid.

Withholding Taxes: The payment of dividends or earnings distribution is subject to a definite 10% withholding tax. Such withholding tax does not apply to Free Trade Zone thus far. Payments abroad of Dominican sourced income are subject to withholding tax at a 27% rate, with the exception of interest which is subject to a 10% withholding tax. Payments to individuals of taxable income should be subject to withholding taxes at rates ranging from 2% to 25% over the gross income.

Tax on the Transfer of Industrialized Goods and Services: Within the framework of business activity, it is important to note that the import and supplies of goods and services within the territory of Dominican Republic give rise to ITBIS (similar to the value-added tax [VAT]) at rates that vary from 8% to 18% while specific goods and services are exempt. Exports of goods are cero taxed as well as services rendered to non-domiciled entities which do not affect Dominican income and are consumed outside Dominican territory. The ITBIS paid at import and to local providers in the acquisition of goods and services, and the excess may be carried forward to the following monthly fiscal periods. Exporters which have ITBIS credit for more than 6 months may request a reimbursement or tax compensation.

Issuance tax: The tax on the issuance (and the increase) of shares of a Dominican company is 1% on the amount contributed.

Tax treaties

The Dominican Republic has double taxation agreements currently in effect with Canada and Spain. A tax information treaty with the United States of America is also in effect.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dra. Maria Arthur Rodger is a Partner leading the Tax & Private Client areas at Arthur & Castillo Law Firm and Attorneys in the Dominican Republic. She specializes in tax law and real estate advisory (Tax LLMs in Georgetown Law Center in Washington, D.C. & Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona) with more than 20 years of experience. Dra. Maria Arthur is also a CPA, Certified Bankruptcy Liquidator and Legal Interpreter.

Email: [email protected]

Disclaimer: This publication is not intended to provide legal advice or suggest a guaranteed outcome as individual situations will differ and the law may have changed since publication. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.

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