The good days of tax evasion are coming to an end. The Tax Agency (DGII) is visiting businesses in the touristic destination of Las Terrenas to ensure that these are operating in compliance with the tax regulations. Businesses that are already in the system are pleased because those that were operating on a cash basis benefited unfair competition.
On Monday, 3 March 2025, the Tax Agency launched the National Taxpayer Registry (RNC) Update and Regularization Project in Las Terrenas, Samaná. A press release from the DGII says that the area is known for its high level of commercial informality and cash transactions.
Luis Valdez Veras, head of the DGII, explained that there are currently 3,421 registered taxpayers in Samaná, with 1,540 of them located in Las Terrenas, accounting for 45.1% of the total. In the northeastern region of the country, Samaná ranks as the second-highest contributor to tax revenue, bringing in RD$1.27 billion in 2024.
“We chose Las Terrenas because it is the municipality with the highest report of cash usage by taxpayers,” Valdez Veras said.
He also pointed out the impact of informality on fair competition. “It’s not fair for a business owner who regularly pays taxes to compete with someone who doesn’t pay any taxes at all,” he noted.
Valdez Veras emphasized that the government needs more resources to address its RD$240 billion budget deficit and meet the demands of the population. In the case of Samaná, investments exceeding RD$2 billion are being made in various infrastructure projects.
“The President is very committed to Samaná, with investments in over RD$2 billion in public works,” Valdez Veras highlighted, listing 23 projects in sectors such as water, education, road infrastructure, sports, and public spaces.
He called on local authorities and business owners to support the RNC project, which does not involve new taxes but aims to increase formal business registration.
The formal launch of the project took place at the Alisei Hotel and was attended by several key figures, including Senator Pedro Catrain, Governor Teodora Mullix Geraldino, DGII Deputy Director Carolina Yamamoto, Samaná Mayor Nelson Nuñez, Las Terrenas Mayor Eduardo Esteban Polanco, and Demetrio Vicente, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Production.
The RNC update will run from 3 to 14 March 2025 and aims to gather updated information about both registered businesses and those operating informally but physically present in various sectors. A team of DGII technicians is gathering data digitally from businesses, with all personnel clearly identified and verification available via a QR code on their identification cards.
During the data collection process, visits will be made to businesses in priority areas, focusing on those with significant economic and commercial impact. The effort will gradually expand to cover all high-traffic commercial areas across the country.
The DGII explains that the actions are based on provisions outlined in the Constitution of the Republic, the Tax Code (Law 11-92), and other relevant laws, including Law No. 32-23 on Electronic Invoicing, General Regulation No. 07-14 on the DGII’s Authority to Determine Tax Obligations, and General Regulation No. 04-21 on the National Taxpayer Registry.
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DGII
DGII
4 March 2025