Temporary Suspension, Tax and Employer Obligations in Guatemala
The agreement of the Superintendence of Tax Administration (SAT-DSI-280-2020 of March 24, 2020), has declared non-working days and suspended terms in Guatemala, derived from the pandemic that is hitting the world.
The agreement declares March 24, 25, 26, 27, 30 and 31 and April 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 13 and 14, 020, as non-working days.
The tax obligations have been suspended and must be complied with as of April 15 of this year:
Any tax or duty due on March 31, must be paid by April 15. The periods initiated are suspended, and must be recalculated as of April 15.
The issue of customs is not included in the agreement.
The IGSS, IRTRA and INTECAP informed that compliance with their obligations is suspended.
- IGSS: The employer’s contribution is deferred from March to May. Such fees shall not be subject to surcharges for late payment, interest or expenses, provided the terms of the agreement are met.
- IRTRA: The employer’s fee from March to May is deferred and shall be paid in the second half of 2020.
- INTECAP: The employer’s fee from March to May is deferred and shall be paid in the second half of 2020.
The labor quotas, they are not suspended.
On the other hand, the Banking System offers deferral for bank obligations. This means that any individual or legal entity that has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic may defer their commitments to the system’s banks for a period of 180 days.
Loans, mortgage credits, credit cards, and pledge credits, among others, may be deferred payments for two to three months.
This measure is due to the modification of the Regulation for the Administration of Credit Risk approved by the Monetary Board. Each banking institution informed through its social networks, the procedures to be followed.
These measures will give the debtor some breathing space and mitigate the damages generated by the pandemic.
Rodrigo Coronado Gálvez-Sobral
Senior Associate
García & Bodán
Guatemala