“Para establecer una amnistía especial para toda persona natural o jurídica que, al 31 de diciembre de 2025, se inscriba en el Registro de Comerciante del Departamento de Hacienda, concediéndole inmunidad de auditorías, penalidades, recargos, intereses, reclamaciones contributivas y procesamiento criminal correspondientes a periodos anteriores a su inscripción, ordenar una campaña educativa utilizando recursos existentes del Gobierno de Puerto Rico para promover esta medida, fiscalizar el uso de ayudas públicas y fomentar la independencia económica; y para otros fines relacionados.”

2025-2028 Session

Bill PS 710 grants full tax amnesty and criminal immunity through end-2025 to businesses registering with Puerto Rico's Treasury, eliminating back taxes, penalties, and prosecution for prior violations.

Comisión no recomienda aprobación de la medida

Legislative bill overview

Bill PS 710 proposes a special amnesty program for individuals and businesses that register with Puerto Rico's Department of Treasury (Registro de Comerciante) by December 31, 2025. The amnesty would grant complete immunity from audits, penalties, surcharges, interest, tax claims, and criminal prosecution for all tax obligations from periods prior to registration. The bill also mandates a government educational campaign to promote the program and increase formal economic participation.

Why is this important

Tax amnesty programs directly affect government revenue and informal economy dynamics. Puerto Rico relies heavily on tax collection to fund public services, so this measure could significantly impact the fiscal situation while potentially bringing informal economic activity into the formal tax system. The amnesty's scope—covering criminal prosecution in addition to civil tax matters—represents an unusually broad forgiveness mechanism that has substantial implications for tax enforcement credibility and future compliance.

Potential points of contention

Fiscal impact: The amnesty eliminates collection of back taxes and penalties, creating immediate revenue loss with uncertain offsetting gains from newly registered businesses

Fairness concerns: Businesses and individuals who paid their taxes in full face potential competitive disadvantage against those receiving immunity, raising equity questions

Enforcement precedent: Offering criminal prosecution immunity for tax violations may weaken future tax enforcement and create expectation of recurring amnesty programs

Effectiveness uncertainty: Whether the educational campaign will attract sufficient new registrants to justify the foregone revenue remains unproven