REGIONAL NEWS

Constant reforms and updates in the tax legislation of various countries are reconfiguring the rules of the game for companies. 

In this article, we will explore how recent tax updates in different countries are affecting companies' accounting and financial reporting.

Index

• Guatemala
• Mexico
• Colombia
• Chile
• Peru

Guatemala. 

LAW FOR THE INTEGRATION OF THE PRIMARY AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVE SECTOR 

DECREE NUMBER 31-2024, Published December 9, 2024 

Special Regime for the Agricultural and Craft Sectors (Article 4) 

Definition of the Regime: A special regime is established for the production and marketing of agricultural and artisanal products. This application is for sales in supermarkets, cantonal and municipal markets, collection centers, and restaurants. 

Conditions 

• Applicable to individuals or legal entities with gross annual sales not exceeding 3,500 current monthly minimum wages for the non-agricultural sector, not including incentives. 

• The tax will be 1.5% of gross sales and will be final. 

• Exporters will pay the 2% tax on the gross sales of the products specified in the law. 

Exclusions: 

1. Agricultural products with specific tax regimes. 

2. Final sellers of primary sector products. 

Payment date 

• The tax must be paid along with the corresponding monthly declaration within the calendar month following the expiration of the tax period. 

Authorizations 

Individuals interested in adopting this regime must meet the following requirements: 

• Documents proving ownership, use, or possession of the real estate where the goods are cultivated or produced. 

• Detailed estimation of annual production, considering factors such as land area and product type. 

• Fiscal solvency or tax compliance certificate. 

• Shareholder Register (for Legal Entities). 

• Payroll book and IGSS reported payroll of workers. 

Registration will be authorized by the SAT after validation by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food. In case of inconsistencies in the application, the interested party will be notified to rectify within 5 days. If the deficiencies are not corrected, registration will be denied. 

Special Regime for the Livestock, Hydrobiological, and Beekeeping Sectors (Article 5) 

Definition of the Regime: This regime is aimed at the breeding, fattening, development, slaughter, processing, and intermediation of livestock, hydrobiological, and apicultural products. 

Conditions 

• Apply to all mentioned activities intended for sales in supermarkets, cantonal markets, municipal markets, and collection centers. 

• The tax will be 1.5% on gross sales made within or outside the production areas. 

• Bovine product brokers will pay the 10% tax on their profits. 

• Exporters of live animals will pay a 2% tax on gross sales. 

Exclusions: 

1. Legal entities engaged in activities in the pig, poultry, or industrial fishing sectors under VAT regimes. 

2. End sellers of livestock products. 

Authorizations 

Just like the Agricultural Regime, it requires specific documentation such as: 

• Property or rights related to real estate in connection with production. 

• Estimated annual production detail, signed by a certified public accountant. 

• Fiscal solvency. 

• Shareholder register, in the case of legal entities. 

Tax Compliance and Obligations (Chapter IV) 

Simplified Taxation (Article 6): 

• Contributors under the Primary or Livestock Regime are exempt from VAT, monthly income tax, and other taxes attributable to their main activities. 

• They must submit annual information returns and separate activities not included in these regimes. 

• Invoices issued under this regime do not grant the right to tax credit for buyers. 

General Obligations (Article 7): 

• Register for the Online Electronic Invoice (FEL) System. 

• Issue invoices with the characteristics determined by the regulations. 

• Maintain SAT-enabled electronic purchase and sales ledgers. 

• Present monthly and annual statements according to the operations performed. 

Activity Proration (Article 8): 

• In mixed activities, income and expenses must be separated by regime. 

• In the event that purchases cannot be separated, the tax credit will be applied proportionally to monthly sales. 

Taxpayer Billing (Article 9): 

• Collection and marketing centers will issue invoices on behalf of individual producers when they do not do so. 

• Withholding of 1.5% of the invoice amount, with the return filed within the first 10 days of the following month. 

Conclusion 

The Special Production and Marketing Regime in Guatemala provides a regulatory framework aimed at simplifying and promoting formalization in strategic sectors of the economy. The inclusions ensure equitable taxation adapted to the characteristics of these sectors, with clear controls to prevent irregularities and foster transparency in the productive and commercial operations. 

Mexico 

SECOND RESOLUTION OF MODIFICATIONS TO THE MISCELLANEOUS TAX RESOLUTION FOR 2024 

Acquisition of goods in national territory owned by a resident abroad. Value added tax withholding. 

1. Acquisition of goods within national territory owned by a resident abroad 

1.1. VAT Withholding Obligation 

Article 1 of the VAT Law establishes that individuals and legal entities are obligated to pay value-added tax when they sell or import goods within national territory. On the other hand, Article 1-A provides that taxpayers must withhold the VAT that is charged to them in certain cases, such as when they acquire goods within national territory that are owned by a foreign resident without a permanent establishment in Mexico. 

1.2. Exceptions to the withholding obligation 

The second paragraph of Article 1-A of the VAT Law states that individuals or legal entities whose obligation to pay the tax arises exclusively from the importation of goods will not be required to make this withholding. This is because such persons do not allocate the acquired goods to taxed activities that generate VAT payment obligations and, therefore, do not file declarations related to this tax. 

1.3. Assumptions under which the withholding obligation applies 

It is considered that when individuals or corporations acquire goods in national territory that are owned by a non-resident without a permanent establishment, they are obligated to withhold VAT. This applies if they carry out taxable activities in accordance with the VAT Law and for which they have an obligation to pay said tax. In these cases, the exception in the second paragraph of Article 1-A does not apply, as the activities performed are taxable. 

1.4 Implications for VAT taxpayers 

Article 1 A, section III, of the VAT Law establishes that taxpayers obligated to pay taxes for acts in addition to importations must always make the corresponding withholding. Therefore, not making this withholding constitutes an improper tax practice. 

1.5. Improper Tax Practices 

Tax evasion is considered improper tax practice: 

• Natural persons or legal entities shall not withhold VAT when they acquire goods from a foreign resident without a permanent establishment and are obligated to pay the tax for carrying out taxed activities. 

• That any person advises, counsels, provides services, or participates in implementing these practices. 

DEDUCTION OF EXPENDITURES FOR SERVICES RENDERED. THEY ARE NOT DEDUCTIBLE IF IT IS NOT PROVEN THAT THE SERVICE WAS ACTUALLY PROVIDED. (44/ISR/NV – II. ISR LAW CRITERIA) 

2. Deduction of expenses for services rendered 

2.1. General Requirements for Deductibility under the Income Tax Law 

Article 27 of the ISR Law states that expenditures must meet certain requirements to be deductible, among which are: 

• To be strictly indispensable for taxpayer activity fines. 

• To be supported by a valid fiscal receipt. 

• To be correctly registered in the taxpayer's accounting records. 

2.2. Indispensability of Expenses 

Thesis contradiction 128/2004, issued by the Second Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation, clarifies that an expense will not be deductible if it is not related to the company's corporate purpose. This means that the expense must be strictly indispensable for the purposes of business activity. 

2.3. Effective Provision of Service as a Requirement 

The fulfillment of the strict indispensability requirement can only be verified if the operation actually exists. That is, it must be demonstrated that the service was provided and that the expenditure made is indispensable for the taxpayer's activity.  

Payments for services are not deductible unless it is proven that they were performed, even if there are tax documents that apparently support the transaction. 

2.4. Problems detected by tax authorities 

Tax authorities have identified cases where taxpayers generate deductions based on allegedly rendered services. This can unduly reduce the ISR taxable base, even when tax receipts exist. The lack of additional elements proving the effective rendering of the service invalidates these deductions. 

2.5. Improper tax practices 

Improper tax practices are considered: 

• Deducting expenses for services rendered without proof of actual service provision, even with a fiscal receipt. 

• Advise, counsel, provide services, or participate in the implementation of these improper deductions. 

CHILE 

INSTRUCTIONS ON THE VOLUNTARY AND EXTRAORDINARY DECLARATION SYSTEM FOR PAYMENT OF THE SINGLE AND SUBSTITUTIVE TAX ESTABLISHED IN THE ELEVENTH TRANSITORY ARTICLE OF LAW NO. 21.713, AMENDED BY LAW NO. 21.716. 

CIRCULAR N°49.- published on 09.21.2024 

1. Introduction to the voluntary disclosure system 

The voluntary and extraordinary system established in the eleventh transitory article of Law No. 21,713 aims to facilitate the regularization of assets or income that were not declared or taxed in the country. This regime allows taxpayers to pay a Single and substitute tax to integrate such goods or income into the current tax system. 

This standard was enacted on October 24, 2024, and subsequently amended by Law No. 21,716, published on November 13, 2024, which extended the deadline to opt for this system until December 31, 2024. This mechanism aims to ensure the inclusion of omitted assets or income in tax compliance in good faith. 

2. Declaration System Characteristics 

The system possesses distinctive characteristics that define its scope of application and objectives: 

a) It is transient: The regime is available only between November 1 and December 31, 2024, coinciding with the period specified in the laws that support it. This highlights the exceptional nature of the measure. 

b) Regularize tax omissions: Taxpayers can include assets or income that have not been previously declared in their tax obligations. Regularization ensures that, going forward, these incomes or assets will be subject to current tax regulations. 

c) Voluntary statement: Participation in the system is entirely optional for contributors. Once submitted, the declaration's main effect is the payment of the Single and substitute tax, closing any gaps in tax compliance. 

d) Single and substitute tax: This tax replaces all previous levies that may have affected the declared assets or income. Furthermore, once applied, no other tax will be enforceable on these assets or income in relation to prior periods. 

e) Extraordinary character: It applies under exceptional conditions, maintaining the validity of general rules for situations that do not fall within the scope of the system. 

f) Principle of good faith: The norm presumes that the taxpayer acts in good faith when filing the return and paying the corresponding tax. However, it does not protect illicit acts, such as the inclusion of assets obtained through illegal activities or declared in malicious representation of third parties. 

3. Eligible contributors to opt-in 

The system is intended for individuals or legal entities that meet the following criteria: 

• Domicile, residence, establishment, or incorporation in Chile before January 1, 2023. 

• Direct or indirect ownership of property acquired before January 1, 2023 o income generated from said assets until the December 31, 2023. 

Taxpayers who established residency or incorporated entities in Chile after that date are excluded, with the objective of preventing artificial incorporation of assets under this regime. 

4. Assets and income subject to declaration 

Taxpayers can claim: 

a) Movable and immovable property: Includes tangible and intangible assets, such as shares, rights in foreign-constituted companies, crypto-assets, and other financial instruments. 

b) Foreign currency and derived income: receive income generated by declared assets, such as dividends, interest, and capital gains. 

c) International properties and income: It allows you to declare assets or income held abroad, either directly owned or through fiduciaries, trusts, agents, or other structures. 

d) Exceptions: Goods located in jurisdictions classified as high-risk or non-cooperative by organizations such as FATF/GAFI are excluded. 

5. Procedure for Filing the Declaration 

The process consists of several steps, detailed in the provisions of the eleventh transitory article: 

1. Deadline for submission Taxpayers must file their return between November 1 and December 31, 2024. 

2. Inventory of assets and income: It is mandatory to attach a detailed inventory that includes: 

• Origin, type, and value of assets or income. 

• Location and ownership of assets. 

• Documentation to back up the statements. 

3. Legalization of documents Supporting documents must be legalized, apostilled, or authenticated, with a Spanish translation if applicable. 

4. Single tax payment: The tax must be paid within the 10 business days later to the notification of the corresponding transfer. 

6. Revisión y fiscalización por parte del Servicio de Impuestos Internos 

lervicio de Impuestos Internos (SII) tiene 12 meses desde el pago del impuesto para verificar el cumplimiento de los requisitos legales. Durante este período, el SII puede: 

• Solicitar información adicional sobre bienes, rentas o documentación presentada. 

• Emitir resoluciones para subsanar o corregir deficiencias detectadas. 

• Declarar incumplimientos insubsanables que descalifiquen al contribuyente del régimen. 

Vencido este plazo sin observaciones, la declaración y sus efectos quedan firmes y adquieren plena validez legal. 

7. Efectos del cumplimiento del sistema de declaración 

Cumplir con los requisitos y pagar el impuesto genera los siguientes beneficios: 

a) Presunción de buena fe: Se reconoce al contribuyente como cumplidor de sus obligaciones tributarias con los bienes declarados. 

b) Extinción de responsabilidades: Se extinguen responsabilidades civiles, penales o administrativas derivadas de las omisiones regularizadas, excepto en casos de lavado de activos u otras actividades ilícitas. 

c) Radicación de bienes: Los bienes declarados pueden registrarse directamente a nombre del contribuyente en Chile sin considerarse como una enajenación. 

8. Prohibiciones para acogerse al sistema 

No podrán acogerse al sistema los contribuyentes: 

• Procesados, formalizados o condenados por delitos tributarios, lavado de activos, financiamiento del terrorismo o cohecho. 

• Con giros, citaciones o reliquidaciones en curso relacionados con bienes o rentas a declarar. 

9. Medidas antilavado de activos y prevención del financiamiento del terrorismo 

Para evitar abusos del sistema, se implementan controles que incluyen: 

• Coordinación entre el SII y la Unidad de Análisis Financiero (UAF) para identificar actividades sospechosas. 

• Identificación obligatoria de beneficiarios finales en declaraciones de bienes y rentas. 

• Reportes obligatorios de operaciones sospechosas al UAF en caso de hallazgos irregulares. 

10. Vigencia y plazos del sistema 

El sistema estará disponible entre el November 1 and December 31, 2024, periodo durante el cual los contribuyentes deben regularizar sus bienes o rentas y cumplir con las disposiciones de la Ley N° 21.713 y sus modificaciones. 

Colombia 
 

APLICACIÓN DE LA EXENCIÓN DE 5.000 UVT EN LA VENTA DE INMUEBLES DE PROPIEDAD COMPARTIDA 

Radicado Virtual No 00S2024006970, de fecha 25.09.2024. 

Problema Jurídico 

El problema principal consiste en determinar si la exención contemplada en el artículo 311-1 del Estatuto Tributario, que exonera las primeras cinco mil (5.000) UVT de la utilidad generada en la venta de una casa o apartamento de habitación, debe aplicarse a la utilidad total de la venta del inmueble o si puede distribuirse entre los propietarios en caso de ser compartido. 

Legal Thesis 

La interpretación del artículo 311-1 establece que la exención de las primeras cinco mil (5.000) UVT se aplica únicamente sobre el monto total de la utilidad generada por la venta del inmueble, sin importar cuántos propietarios compartan la titularidad. Es decir, no se distribuye proporcionalmente entre los propietarios; se calcula sobre el total de la utilidad generada en la venta. 

Fundamentación 

Interpretación de la Ley según el Código Civil 

De acuerdo con el artículo 27 del Código Civil, “Cuando el sentido de la ley sea claro, no se desatenderá su tenor literal a pretexto de consultar su espíritu”. En este caso, la norma del artículo 311-1 del Estatuto Tributario tiene un tenor literal claro, lo que implica que su interpretación debe centrarse en el texto explícito. 

Contenido del Artículo 311-1 del Estatuto Tributario 

El artículo 311-1 establece: 

• Exención: Las primeras cinco mil (5.000) UVT de la utilidad generada por la venta de la casa o apartamento de habitación están exentas del impuesto sobre la renta y complementarios. 

• Condiciones para la exención: 

• Los dineros recibidos deben depositarse en cuentas AFC o utilizarse directamente para la adquisición de otra vivienda o el pago total o parcial de créditos hipotecarios vinculados a la propiedad vendida. 

• Si los recursos se destinan a otros propósitos, se pierde el beneficio de la exención. 

La norma especifica que la exención se calcula sobre la utilidad total generada, definida como la diferencia entre el precio de enajenación y el costo fiscal del activo, y no sobre la utilidad atribuible a cada propietario. 

Aplicación a Propietarios Múltiples 

Cuando el inmueble pertenece a más de una persona, la exención se aplica a la utilidad generada por la propiedad como un todo, sin fraccionarse entre los copropietarios. La normativa no contempla una división proporcional de la exención, reafirmando que es la utilidad global de la venta la que goza del beneficio fiscal. 

Conclusion 

La exención de las primeras cinco mil (5.000) UVT, bajo los términos del artículo 311-1 del Estatuto Tributario, se aplica únicamente sobre el monto total de la utilidad generada en la venta de la casa o apartamento de habitación, y no sobre la utilidad obtenida individualmente por los propietarios en caso de copropiedad. Esta interpretación se fundamenta en el tenor literal de la norma y en las condiciones establecidas para acceder al beneficio. 

Peru 

Nuevo mecanismo de recaudación del IGV para servicios digitales y bienes intangibles 

1. Introducción del Decreto Legislativo N.º 1623 

El 4 de agosto de 2024 se publicó el Decreto Legislativo N.º 1623, estableciendo un nuevo mecanismo de recaudación del Impuesto General a las Ventas (IGV) para servicios digitales y la importación de bienes intangibles a través de internet. Este sistema se aplica a personas naturales que no realizan actividad empresarial, buscando abordar deficiencias previas en la recaudación de este impuesto. 

2. Definición de servicios digitales sujetos al IGV 

Los servicios digitales que quedan comprendidos en este régimen deben ser necesariamente brindados mediante internet o redes virtuales similares. Algunos ejemplos destacados incluyen: 

• Streaming de contenidos audiovisuales. 

• Almacenamiento de información en línea. 

• Servicios de conferencia remota. 

• Aplicaciones móviles (apps): estas conectan usuarios con prestadores de servicios, como en el caso de arrendadores y arrendatarios para alquileres, servicios de taxi o redes sociales que cobran por funcionalidades adicionales. 

3. Bienes intangibles importados a través de interne 

La normativa también aborda la importación de bienes intangibles adquiridos y descargados de manera definitiva por los usuarios. Ejemplos de estos bienes incluyen: 

• Descarga de programas informáticos. 

• Antivirus adquiridos por internet. 

4. Problemática previa y necesidad del cambio 

Aunque estas operaciones ya estaban gravadas con el IGV, no existía un mecanismo de recaudación efectivo, generando brechas fiscales significativas. Esto dificultaba que los proveedores no domiciliados cumplieran con las obligaciones tributarias en el país. 

5. Rol de los proveedores no domiciliados (SND) 

Para solucionar este problema, el Decreto Legislativo N.º 1623 designa a los proveedores no domiciliados de servicios digitales y bienes intangibles como agentes de retención o percepción del IGV. Entre sus obligaciones se incluyen: 

• Inscríbase en el Registro Único de Contribuyentes (RUC). 

• Declarar y pagar el IGV directamente a la SUNAT. 

• Utilizar procedimientos virtuales, eliminando la necesidad de presencia física en el país. 

Este enfoque digital y simplificado busca mejorar la eficiencia de la recaudación y fomentar el cumplimiento tributario. Además, puedes iniciar con la inscripción del RUC en el siguiente enlace: 

https://www.sunat.gob.pe/ol-ti-itpreinscripnodomic/registro