Shortly after Yandra Portela, the president of the Association of Industries of the Dominican Republic (AID), requested a list of the biggest contributors of the 1.5% advance tax from the Department of Taxes (DGII), she received notification from the DGII that she had not paid her taxes. Portela, who solicited these names based on the General Law of Access to Public Information that deems this information to be part of its scope, said that she is up to date in the payment of her taxes and that she would pay a personal visit to the DGII to prove this. She explained that Articles 307 and 115 of the tax code establish that individuals who receive revenue from a job or from dividends do not have to file separately.
As reported in Hoy newspaper, DGII director Juan Hernandez had accused her of being behind on her personal tax payments.
Portela expressed her concern about the personalized way the government has dealt with the issue, at a time when the flaws of institutional affairs are being discussed. She questioned the government’s handling of the matter, saying it contradicts its claimed intent to strengthen relations with the civil society. She commented that the debate should be focused on ideas, and should not get involved with justly or unjustly disqualifying speakers of the business sector.
Portela had urged that the tax department become more efficient by recruiting those that have been evading paying taxes and not penalize the productive sectors.