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Puerto Rico

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Tax authorities

Puerto Rico Treasury Department (Departamento de Hacienda)
PO Box 9022140,
San Juan,
Puerto Rico 00902-2140
Tel: +1 787 721 2020

Tax rates at a glance

(As of September 10 2012)

Corporate income tax 20% - 30% (a)
Capital gains 15%
Branch tax 20% - 30% (a)
Withholding tax
  Dividends 10% (b)
  Interest 0%/29% (c)
  Royalties from patents and licences 29% (d)
  Branch remittance tax 10% (e)
Net operating losses (Years)
  Carryback Not allowed
  Carryforwards 7 to 10 years (f)
  1. Puerto Rico has progressive tax rates depending on the company’s net income. In addition, Puerto Rico has several tax incentive laws which provide significantly reduced tax rates or exemptions depending on the activity of the company. Some companies may have elected to be taxed under the previous Internal Revenue Code with rates from 20% to 39%.
  2. Certain tax exemption laws provide a total exemption from tax on distribution of earnings and profits from qualified activities and significantly reduced royalty rates.
  3. Interest payments to non-related entities not engaged in trade or business within Puerto Rico or interests payments to entities engaged in trade or business within Puerto Rico, whether related or not, are not subject to income tax withholding. Interest paid to related entities not engaged in trade or business within Puerto Rico is subject to a 29% income tax withholding.
  4. Certain tax exemption laws provide special income tax rates for royalties paid to related entities which are lower than the regular income tax rate.
  5. A branch of a foreign corporation in Puerto Rico may either be subject to a tax withholding on the transfer of earnings (paid by the home office through an income tax withholding) or a branch profit tax (paid by the branch in the income tax return) depending on their level of activities in Puerto Rico.
  6. The net operating losses carryfoward for years 2004 to 2012 was increased from seven years to 10 years. The carryfoward for other years remains at seven years.

Source: Professionals from Zaragoza & Alvarado - Taxand

Puerto Rico

Felipe Mariani
Zaragoza & Alvarado - Taxand
Puerto Rico

Felipe Mariani of Zaragoza & Alvarado – Taxand discusses the green energy incentive program in Puerto Rico

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See also

Puerto Rico
Latin America

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