For more information, see: Puerto Rico Eliminates 5 Employee Requirement, To compare Puerto Rico to typical offshore tax plans, see: Puerto Rico Tax Deal vs Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. your business to Puerto Rico, and break all ties with the United States, all business income will be Puerto Rico sourced income. Industry is the main source of income for Puerto Rico. They do not itemize deductions. This is because you are performing the service of sourcing, manufacturing, and/or importing goods that will be sold outside of Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico. Tourism has traditionally been an important source of income with estimated arrivals of more than 3.6 million tourists in 2008. A Puerto Rico tax return reporting only your income from Puerto Rico sources. residents of Puerto Rico during the entire taxable year, but who receive income from sources outside Puerto Rico and/or receive income as a civilian or military employee of the U.S. Government in Puerto Rico, must file a U.S. Federal income tax return. While tax rates in the United States are not as high as in many other developed countries, they continue to create a substantial tax burden for US citizens. Generally, foreign income won't be taxable for Puerto Rico purposes. For small businesses, you can look at the amount of hours spent in Puerto Rico vs the US. A qualifying business will offer services from Puerto Rico to businesses and persons outside of Puerto Rico. However, if you become a “bona fide resident of Puerto Rico,” you’re no longer subject to US federal income tax on your Puerto Rico source income. Industry is the main source of income for Puerto Rico. do not operate in Puerto Rico and do not earn income from Puerto Rico sources other than the income received from the partnership that operates in Puerto Rico, the partnership can file Form 480.10(SC) and the combined Informative Returns – Pass-Through Entity (Form 480.60 EC), subject to the requirements established in Administrative Puerto Rico carries more debt per capita than any state in the United States. If income was received from sources outside of Puerto Rico, a U.S. federal tax return must be filed if the amount of income earned outside of Puerto Rico is more than the taxpayer's filing threshold. In 2010, for example, Vermont’s tax liability was only $3.2 billion, while Puerto Rico’s was nearly $3.6 billion. In 2018, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Puerto Rico was Guaynabo Municipio, PR with a value of $36,309, followed by Trujillo Alto Municipio, PR and Caguas Municipio, PR, with respective values of $31,078 and $27,714. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 931 of this title. Note that wholesale distribution of products can qualify for Act 20. Legally avoiding the 37% federal rate and the 13.3% California (or other state) rate sounds pretty good. The following items shall not be included in gross income and shall be exempt from taxation under this subtitle: Taxable year of change of residence from Puerto, Subchapter N. Tax Based on Income From Sources Within or Without the United States, Part III. Puerto Rico is expected to receive $13 billion in Covid-related federal funds, according to the Financial Oversight and Management Board, the agency that … EDITORS NOTE: On July 11, 2017, the government of Puerto Rico did away with the requirement to hire 5 employees to qualify for Act 20. I hope this information on what is Puerto Rico sourced income for an Act 20 business has been helpful. There are numerous tax benefits for expats like the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, tax credits, and foreign corporation… 1986—Pub. When you’re attributing income between the US with its 35% Federal + state taxes and Puerto Rico at 4%, you will want to maximize the perceived value of the work done in Puerto Rico. Notably, dividend income would generally be considered Puerto Rican-source if paid by a Puerto Rican corporation from its Puerto Rican-source income, subject to the rules in Regs. The source-of-income rules apply to income realized after December 31, 2010, regardless of the taxpayer’s taxable year, making the first year of applicability 2011. Service based income is profit from work done in Puerto Rico. The source-of-income rules apply to income realized after December 31, 2010, regardless of the taxpayer’s taxable year, making the first year of applicability 2011. Likewise, income sourced to the United States is taxable in the United States at standard rates, even if you run it through a Puerto Rico Act 20 company. Also, some sources of income, such as pension income, are taxed differently in Puerto Rico than in the states. federal dollars received — tax contributions to the Federal Government After taxes, Puerto Rico received approximately $620 million ($177 per capita) from the federal government in 2016. Still, Puerto Rico hopes to lure American mainlanders with an income tax of only 4%. Puerto Ricans are required to pay federal income taxes on income from federal sources outside of Puerto Rico; otherwise they are exempt from federal income taxes. This is because all of the work to generate sales made after the move will have occurred in Puerto Rico. Maximizing Puerto Rico sourced income in an Act 20 business, and thus minimizing US sourced income, is the key to unlocking the 4% tax rate offered in Puerto Rico. In the case of a non-resident foreign corporation, a 29% withholding tax (WHT) rate is applicable on its Puerto Rico-source gross income not effectively connected with a Puerto Rico trade or business. An individual who is a Bona Fide Resident of Puerto Rico for the entire taxable year, generally, may exclude Puerto Rico source income from gross income (IRC 933(1)). In the case of an individual citizen of the United States who has been a bona fide resident of Puerto Rico for a period of at least 2 years before the date on which he changes his residence from Puerto Rico, income derived from sources therein (except amounts received for services performed as an employee of the United States or any agency thereof) which is attributable to that part of such period of Puerto Rican residence before such date; but such individual shall not be allowed as a deduction from his gross income any deductions (other than the deduction for personal exemptions under section 151), or any credit, properly allocable to or chargeable against amounts excluded from gross income under this paragraph. (A) Gain that is considered to be derived from sources outside of the United States under section 865(g)(3) will be considered income from sources within Puerto Rico; and (B) Gain that is considered to be derived from sources outside of the United States under section 865(h)(2)(B) will be considered income from sources within the possession in which the liquidating corporation is created or organized. This is because all of the work to generate sales made after the move will have occurred in Puerto Rico. They will create a pricing model that will stand up to IRS scrutiny and remove any risk should you be audited. Puerto Rico's merchandise trade surplus is exceptionally strong, with exports nearly 50% greater than imports, and its current account surplus about 10% of GDP. Likewise, income sourced to the United States is taxable in the United States at standard rates, even if you run it through a Puerto Rico Act 20 company. Allocation if produced and sold in different locations. The rule is simple enough: Any value added in Puerto Rico is Puerto Rico sourced income and any value added in the United States is US sourced income. Gain on the sale of partnership interests after December 31, 2018, will be treated as Puerto Rico-source income to the extent a deemed sale of all assets at fair market value, regardless of the residence of the selling partner, generates Puerto Rico-source income. INTERNATIONAL TAX & BUSINESS GUIDE, 2020 – 10TH EDITION, Puerto Rico Eliminates 5 Employee Requirement, How to Open an Offshore Bank Account in Cayman Islands – Cayman Banking Guide, Move to Puerto Rico and Pay Zero Capital Gains Tax, 10 Best Second Passports and Citizenship by Investment Programs For 2016, How to report a foreign salary or international business income. Wages for services performed in Puerto Rico, whether for a private employer, the U.S. government, or otherwise, is income from Puerto Rico sources. Royalties on patents, copyrights, trademarks, etc. You can also estimate the value of work done in Puerto Rico by how much you would be willing to pay an independent and unrelated firm to provide those services to your US company. In 2018, Puerto Rico had a population of 3.2M people with a median age of 42.9 and a median household income of $20,296. As a result, for 2010, Puerto Rico filers' adjusted gross income for federal tax purposes would have been higher than that for Puerto Rico tax purposes. Amendment by Pub. The same goes for US companies that open divisions in Puerto Rico to get that 4% corporate tax rate on a portion of their profits. Income from sources within Puerto Rico. Dividends from US states are taxable where the company is formed. If you’re new to Puerto Rico Act 20, the basics are this: set up a business on the island that employees at least 5 people and pay only 4% in tax on your corporate profits. However, Act 257 provided a change in sourcing rule for revenue earned on contracts with the Puerto Rico government. Line 7 of their Federal tax return, Form 1040, shows $26,000. Under Spanish colonial rule the island was largely neglected because of its limited mineral resources. It is not where the wages are paid from that determines the source, but rather where the services are performed. If you sell a physical good (inventory) in to the United States, you have US sourced income. The new rule treats income from the resale of PR affiliates by a nonresident business as PR source PR trade or business. Generally, elections affecting the partnership's net income must be made by the partnership. Here’s how to maximize the value of your Puerto Rico Act 20 business using the income sourcing rules. L. 99–514 inserted “, or any credit,” in pars. and qualifies for the 4% tax rate. The current CIT rate is comprised of an 18.5% normal tax and a graduated surtax (computed on the 'surtax net income'). Under Spanish colonial rule the island was largely neglected because of its limited mineral resources. Where labor or services are performed. Legally avoiding the 37% federal rate and the 13.3% California (or other state) rate sounds pretty good. During 2019 they received $15,000 of income from Puerto Rican sources not subject to U.S. income tax; $20,000 of federal wages subject to U.S. income tax and $6,000 interest income from a bank account in the U.S. The new rule treats income from the resale of PR affiliates by a nonresident business as PR source PR trade or business. So, if you’re selling an online service for $50, and $25 of the value of that service comes from your 5 employees in Puerto Rico, then half your net profits can be attributed to Puerto Rico. How to Maximize the Tax Benefits of Puerto Rico, I hope this information on what is Puerto Rico sourced income for an Act 20 business has been helpful. Another reason all income in an Act 20 business will be Puerto Rico sourced income is the type of activities that qualify for Act 20. Contributions: Where services were performed that earned the pension, Investment earnings: Where pension trust is located, Puerto Rico if you are a legal resident of the island under Act 22, Where corporation or LLC is incorporated. The services sector accounts for 37 percent of GDP and employs 291,000 people. The rule is simple: only Puerto Rico sourced income can be attributed to the Act 20 business and qualifies for the 4% tax rate. Salaries, wages, and other compensation for labor or personal services. business using the income sourcing rules. Federal law requires payment of federal income tax from the following residents and corporations only: federal government employees in Puerto Rico, residents who are members of the United States military, those with income sources outside of Puerto Rico, those individuals or corporations who do business with the federal government, and those Puerto Rico-based corporations that intend to send funds to … Use the worksheet found in IRS Publication 1321 to determine if a federal tax return must be filed. A U.S. tax return (Form 1040-NR) according to the rules for a nonresident alien. Moreover, such interest may be taxed at rates (10% and 17%) that may be advantageous. Where sold. For more on this topic, see: How to Maximize the Tax Benefits of Puerto Rico. The rule is simple: only Puerto Rico sourced income can be attributed to the Act 20 business and qualifies for the 4% tax rate. Instead, you’re only subject to Puerto Rican income tax on that income. Then, Puerto Rico has enacted several … The special rules in Puerto Rico are simply a matter of … The use of a partnership’s losses is limited by the partner’s basis in the partnership equity interest and can only be used against the distributable share of other partnerships’ in… In the case of an individual who is a bona fide resident of Puerto Rico during the entire taxable year, income derived from sources within Puerto Rico (except amounts received for services performed as an employee of the United States or any agency thereof); but such individual shall not be allowed as a deduction from his gross income any deductions (other than the deduction under section 151, relating … For more information, please contact me at info@premieroffshore.com or call (619) 483-1708. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Puerto Rico Economy 2020 information contained here. This is the heart of Puerto Rico’s Act 20 for businesses. Still, Puerto Rico hopes to lure American mainlanders with an income tax of only 4%. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Puerto Rico declined from 3.34M to 3.2M, a -4.26% decrease and its median household income grew from $19,343 to $20,296, a 4.93% increase. Sec. If you're a bona fide resident of Puerto Rico and can exclude your Puerto Rican source income on your U.S. income tax return, you must determine your return filing requirement based on the filing thresholds shown in the individual tax return instructions. Use the worksheet found in IRS Publication 1321 to determine if a federal tax return must be filed. One exception is that partnerships are not allowed a deduction for carryover net operating losses. I will be happy to help you structure your business in Puerto Rico. Only service based income will qualify for Act 20. Puerto Rico - Puerto Rico - The economy: Puerto Rico’s economy, now based on services and manufacturing, was dominated by agriculture until the mid-20th century. Especially for those who want to live in the United States and operate a business based in Puerto Rico. There’s no telling when the party will be over. Economy. 937-2 (g)(1)(ii). I will be happy to help you structure your business in Puerto Rico. For such a simple statement, the Puerto Rico income sourcing rule sure causes a lot of questions. Employment income is generally treated as Puerto Rican – sourced compensation when the individual performs the services while physically located in Puerto Rico. Certain capital gains are sourced to Puerto Rico if derived by Puerto Rican residents (albeit with limitations). • Debt - External: $70 billion (January 23, 2017 2010 est.) If you move you and your business to Puerto Rico, and break all ties with the United States, all business income will be Puerto Rico sourced income. Such a person will maximize Puerto Rico sourced income and thus minimize her total taxes. If income was received from sources outside of Puerto Rico, a U.S. federal tax return must be filed if the amount of income earned outside of Puerto Rico is more than the taxpayer's filing threshold. Here is a list of the various types of income and where they are sourced. Puerto Rico - Puerto Rico - The economy: Puerto Rico’s economy, now based on services and manufacturing, was dominated by agriculture until the mid-20th century. Gain on the sale of partnership interests after December 31, 2018, will be treated as Puerto Rico-source income to the extent a deemed sale of all assets at fair market value, regardless of the residence of the selling partner, generates Puerto Rico-source income. If you're a bona fide resident of Puerto Rico, you'll be able to exclude income from Puerto Rican sources on your U.S. income tax return. Likewise, income sourced to the United States is taxable in the United States at standard rates, even if you run it through a Puerto Rico Act 20 company. Dividends from an Act 20 corporation will be tax free in Puerto Rico to a resident of the territory who. Sec. L. 99–514 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1986, with certain exceptions and qualifications, see section 1277 of Pub. The balance can be held tax deferred if you live in the US or taken out as a tax free dividend if you live in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is classified as a high income country, high income countries are defined by the World Bank as countries with a Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of $11,116 or more. To compare Puerto Rico to typical offshore tax plans, see: Puerto Rico Tax Deal vs Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. See the Instructions for Form 1040-NR. For more information, please contact me at. (1) and (2). Individuals can exclude any distributions from a retirement plan from income for U.S. tax purposes if the income is derived from Puerto Rican sources. For this reason, all Puerto Rico Act 20 businesses must offer a SERVICE and not sell inventory. A partnership computes its gross income and deductions, to arrive at taxable income, in the same manner an individual would, with certain exceptions. The rule is simple: only Puerto Rico sourced income can be attributed to the Act 20 business and qualifies for the 4% tax rate. It doesn’t matter where the customer is located… only where you and your employees are when doing the work. Above, I gave you the example of the perfect client – someone who moves herself and her business to Puerto Rico, breaking all ties with the United States. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Puerto Rico Economy 2020 should be addressed to the CIA or the source cited on each page. Rico is betting to surpass the current economic challenges by promoting Puerto Rico as an international services center with high concentration on technology and novel industries. But, only service based income will qualify for Act 20 tax benefits. You can now set up an Act 20 company with only 1 employee (you, the business owner). Certain capital gains are sourced to Puerto Rico if derived by Puerto … In the case of an individual who is a bona fide resident of Puerto Rico during the entire taxable year, income derived from sources within Puerto Rico (except amounts received for services performed as an employee of the United States or any agency thereof); but such individual shall not be allowed as a deduction from his gross income any deductions (other than the deduction under section 151, relating to personal exemptions), or any credit, properly allocable to or chargeable against amounts excluded from gross income under this paragraph. Many large accounting firms have groups specialized in producing transfer pricing studies between the territory and the US. Puerto Rico's external debt is part of the U.S. debt, but the island has a public debt approaching US$16 billion. INCOME FROM SOURCES WITHOUT THE UNITED STATES, Subpart D. Possessions of the United States, Section 933. Likewise, income sourced to the United States is taxable in the United States at standard rates, even if you run it through a Puerto Rico Act 20 company. The cost for a transfer pricing study will vary widely the the firm selected and the type of business you are operating. Puerto Rico. The portion of her gain attributable to Puerto Rico is $75,276 ($100,000 x (1,294 Puerto Rico days ÷ 1,719 total days)). The larger burden is that, unlike citizens from almost every other country on earth, US persons are subject to US tax on their worldwide incomeregardless of where they live. Notably, dividend income would generally be considered Puerto Rican-source if paid by a Puerto Rican corporation from its Puerto Rican-source income, subject to the rules in Regs. Tourism continues to be an important source of income. : Where property is used. Corporations not engaged in a trade or business in Puerto Rico are subject to a 29% WHT at source on certain gross income items (considered fixed or determinable, annual or … 1. or call (619) 483-1708. If used by the Puerto Rico company, then taxed in Puerto Rico. When income sourcing between Puerto Rico and the US is a major issue ($1 million or more), then you need to hire a professional.