Yesterday, the director of the Department of Taxes (DGII), Teofilo (Quico) Tabar, announced that January government revenues from income taxes were up 68% compared to the same month in 2003. He said the government collected RD$5.8 billion, for a RD$2.3 billion increase over January 2003. Tabar attributed the elevated revenues to the additional payments received from the business sector, a consequence of the term plans offered by his department to taxpayers, and the new branch offices that make it easier for taxpayers to make their remittances. It was announced that DGII revenues in 2003 represented RD$42 billion, up 23% over 2002’s total.
El Caribe newspaper reports today that the Customs Department is using a RD$55.48-to-US$1 exchange base for application of taxes on imports. The higher exchange rate translates into higher costs for consumer goods, but greater intake for the authorities.
Tabar spoke during the opening of the new offices of the taxation department located at Av. San Martin, in the La Fe sector of Santo Domingo.