The president of the Chamber of Deputies, Abel Martinez (PLD-National District) says that the deputies will deal with the proposal received from the Presidency to modify Article 49 of the Fiscal Reform Law 253-12 during their session next Tuesday at 10am. Article 49 of the Fiscal Reform Law taxes purchases made over the Internet. Martinez said that it would be sent to the Senate immediately to prevent it from affecting consumers who use this medium to make their minor purchases. The article was the target of criticism for its apparent violation of the DR-CAFTA agreement and for being be difficult to implement.
Martinez said that he had agreed with President Medina to submit the proposal immediately in order to speed up its approval and avoid the bureaucratic red tape that makes it take so long for the Executive Branch to send a proposal to the National Congress. The tax on purchases over the Internet was introduced in the Senate, since the original proposal from the Executive Branch did not contain such a tax.
The addendum is expected to also include a proposal for a fiscal tax amnesty. The bill is expected to benefit those in arrears with payment of income tax, ITBIS value-added tax and inheritance tax. The bill aims to revoke penalties and interest due for anyone making a total payment of the principal within 20 days of the passing of the amnesty.
The tax amnesty is expected to provide a windfall of resources to the government in the short term and regularize taxpayers for future payments. The previous tax amnesty took place in 2006. President Danilo Medina Law signed the tax reform bill into Law 253-12 on Saturday, 10 November but the implementation of the ITBIS increase to 18% and new ITBIS taxation items is being postponed till January 2013. With Tax Law 253-12, the Medina administration seeks to raise RD$46 billion in additional tax revenue.
www.hoy.com.do/el-pais/2012/11/11/454359/Detallan-amnistia-fiscal-se-salvo-compra-Internet