DGII retains 2% on all credit and debit card purchases

[Dolores]

Starting this Monday, 19 May 2025, the Tax Agency (DGII) is enforcing a 2% retention on all sales made via credit and debit cards, regardless of the business’s size.

The measure is outlined in General Norm 06-2023 and its supplementary regulations, and is part of recent adjustments to the ITBIS (Value Added Tax) retention scheme. This means that every electronic transaction made with a card at a business is now automatically subject to this deduction by the tax office.

While authorities justify the move as a step towards greater economic formalization and a crackdown on tax evasion, the 2% retention is already sparking concerns among productive sectors. There’s worry that it could discourage the use of credit and debit cards, potentially impacting electronic transactions across the country.

In recent years, businesses are encouraging payment via bank transfers.

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[bob saunders]

That is so they have money to give to the poor to make sure they get re-elected. a Robin Hood action. Not sure how this would lessen tax evasion.

 

[DrNoob]

I am not sure this is actually good for stopping tax evasion. This will drive people more towards cash, which makes it quite easy to evade taxes. I already dont like the 0.15% tax on bank transfers and this is 2%

To get people to move towards electronic means of payments, which makes it easier to map out transactions and thus reduce evasion, the government has to make them easier and cheaper (like Pix in Brasil and UPI and digital payments in India) but the DR government goes the other way 🤦‍♂️

 

[Manuel01]

Cash is King !

 

[chico bill]

The DR grifters will play with it until they break it.
Then cry like children when the cash-cow no longer produces.
But they are like Stevie Wonder when it comes to foresight

 

[JLSawmam]

Ok, I see the ITBIS I pay on my receipts from Jumbo, for example. If I use my debit card, am I going to see this 2% too, or is it paid by Jumbo and invisible to me? I'm not the one possibly evading taxes by using my debit card, right? Yet another reason farmacias and many other businesses give a discount if you pay in cash

 

[CristoRey]

Just another way to fill their coffers.
Election season will be here before we know it. Call it "planning ahead".

 

[Peterj]

Cash is King !

Normally I agree 100% but I can't buy stuff on Amazon and/or Ebay with cash....

 

[webmacon]

Thanks however that I don't have a local bank and/or card anymore ....

Normally I agree 100% but I can't buy stuff on Amazon and/or Ebay with cash....

 

[NanSanPedro]

I just went to the store today. The 2% was not on the receipt, although the ITBIS was

 

[tee]

I just went to the store today. The 2% was not on the receipt, although the ITBIS was

From what I understand, they charge the retailers the 2%, not the consumer. However, this is the perfect excuse for retailers to raise their prices at least 5%!!!

 

[JLSawmam]

This 2% on top of the fees retailers pay to the bank (or whoever) for credit/debit card transactions...ugh! If I were a retailer, I'd be pissed off.

 

[Pikobello]

From what I understand, they charge the retailers the 2%, not the consumer. However, this is the perfect excuse for retailers to raise their prices at least 5%!!!

Last monday I bought one pound of Gouda cheese at Sirena,it cost 300 Pesos/pound. Yesterday it was 315.... and that's only one example.
Who do you think pays the bill? Right the customer, ohhh f..k, that's me!

 

[chico bill]

Last monday I bought one pound of Gouda cheese at Sirena,it cost 300 Pesos/pound. Yesterday it was 315.... and that's only one example.
Who do you think pays the bill? Right the customer, ohhh f..k, that's me!

You must love Gouda

 

[cavok]

Totally insane. DGII might as well just make ITIBIS 20% because the merchants aren't going to eat the new 2% fee - customers will.

 

[M4kintosh]

Totally insane. DGII might as well just make ITIBIS 20% because the merchants aren't going to eat the new 2% fee - customers will.

The 2% fee isn't new. It's been for 20 years. I have a client (retailer) that he receives its CC statement from Cardnet, and they already deducted from its Visa/Mastercard sales every month, alongside the 5% merchant fee from Cardnet and the taxes from it for the Gov.

The ones who started spreading the news (withouth scrutinity or knowing the law) were digital local media like 7Dias, without explanation or an official statement from the source (DGII)

The DGII had to make a Twitter official post trying to explain this.

 

[cavok]

The 2% fee isn't new. It's been for 20 years. I have a client (retailer) that he receives its CC statement from Cardnet, and they already deducted from its Visa/Mastercard sales every month, alongside the 5% merchant fee from Cardnet and the taxes from it for the Gov.

The ones who started spreading the news (withouth scrutinity or knowing the law) were digital local media like 7Dias, without explanation or an official statement from the source (DGII)

The DGII had to make a Twitter official post trying to explain this.
View attachment 10798

So, this is nothing more than to start enforcing what previously only some merchants complied with?

 

[SKY]

Won't be difficult to see what if anything is happening. Just look at your receipt in the supermarket. It shows prices and ITRBIS so it should also show this 2%..................

 

[M4kintosh]

So, this is nothing more than to start enforcing what previously only some merchants complied with?

No.

It started as a rumor by digital news sites (not official ones without a formal source on Monday). And then the DGII had to make a press release today confirming that they've been doing it for 20 years. No enforcement whatsoever.

This is already automatic done by all credit card processors (Cardnet, Portal, Azul, Amex) imposed by the Gov since 2004 (any merchant share it separately on their credit card transaction monthly bills)

 

[cavok]

No.

It started as a rumor by digital news sites (not official ones without a formal source on Monday). And then the DGII had to make a press release today confirming that they've been doing it for 20 years. No enforcement whatsoever.

This is already automatic done by all credit card processors (Cardnet, Portal, Azul, Amex) imposed by the Gov since 2004 (any merchant share it separately on their credit card transaction monthly bills)

So, credit cards only? I rarely use my US credit card here but I do use my DR debit card here a lot. Never seen the extra 2% on my receipts or bank statements(?).