President Hipolito Mejia, on the campaign trail in the US, traveled to the US with decrees offering increased benefits to Dominican expatriates.
President Mejia said that any Dominican returning in May or June would be able to receive complete tax exemptions on gifts up to US$1,000, as is traditionally allowed for those traveling for Mother?s Day or during the Christmas holidays.
He also announced that he had issued a decree that grants larger tax exemptions to Dominicans bringing back their vehicles after having residing abroad for two years than is established by Law 14 of 1993. The decree extends the tax exemptions to 30% for cars belonging to the same owner for one year, 40% for two years, 50% for three years, 65% for four years and 80% for five years or more. On top of those tax exemptions, the decree establishes additional discounts of 5% for those who have lived abroad for 5 to 10 years, 10% for those who have lived abroad for 10 to 15 years, 15% for 15-20 years; 20% for 20-25 years and 25% for 25+ years. The vehicle cannot be worth more than US$35,000 FOB.
President Mejia also announced in the US that his government would exonerate import duties for household items and office furnishings for Dominicans who have lived abroad for at least two years and return to the country to establish definite residence. Law 168 of 1967 already grants 100% tax exemptions on household items and office furnishings to Dominicans who have lived abroad at least two years and to foreigners establishing residence for the first time.
In another decree, President Mejia announced that a summer camp sponsored by the government will be held to teach the offspring of Dominicans living abroad about Dominican history and geography.
Mejia also promised 500,000 square meters of government property to be used for the development of what he called a satellite city of Dominicans living abroad, where no less than 2,500 apartments will be made available for Dominican expatriates.