DGI will regulate ‘applications’ so that they pay taxes to the state

The director of the General Administration of Revenue, Publio de Gracia, reiterated that all the information about millions moving to Panama on different platforms and digital commerce, as well as online shopping systems, for the purpose of paying taxes.

“Tax collection represents 87% of state collection. That’s why we will take measures to increase collection with measures aimed at promoting tax payment with tax incentives and the possibility for digital platforms to pay tax to the state,” he emphasized. through the announcement of the MEF.

He explained that the digital economy is already being discussed at a global level and recently 16 countries in the area studied in Cartagena, Colombia so that there could be tax justice in relation to those multinational companies whose incomes are increasingly consolidated through which they consume these products.

According to the official it would be necessary to assess how the ITBMS will be collected which in other countries is VAT, because currently cable signals pay a 7% tax charged by the state.

“But for platforms like Netflix, Instagram, Facebook, Messenger and others, the state of Panama does not charge that 7 percent, while in other states it is already included,” he said.

He stressed the need for an even floor for all and to charge that 7% service, balancing it with what the traditional economy charges.

He added that companies like Uber, among others, have benefits in the Republic of Panama and must somehow contribute to the collection.

This does not include influencers who advertise on their Instagram accounts and people from the informal economy, because the law already foresees them, that is, those people who have income and do not report it, are obviously in arrears.

“They could even lead to tax fraud, which is why it is called persons who have income from any type of activity to register it, since being an influencer is an income-generating activity and they have to report it,” he added.

It is not the first time that De Gracia has spoken about the topic and the importance of recording these recognitions.