In response to the state of emergency declared by the Governor of Puerto Rico due to the earthquakes of January 2020, the Treasury Department (TD) issued Internal Revenue Circular Letter 20-02 (CC RI 20-02) to announce the postponement of the due dates for the filing of certain tax returns, declarations, and payment taxes that are due on January 2020. In addition, it informs that there will be no interests, surcharges, or penalties due to this postponement.
The following is the list of the filings of tax returns, forms, declarations, and payments for which due dates have been postponed:
- Filing and payments of tax returns, declarations, and forms related to employer taxes, withholdings, and estimated income tax payments, including the last installment of the individual tax return for 2020 that were due between January 7 and January 30, 2020, have been moved to January 31, 2020.
- Filing of income tax returns including related forms and extensions that were due on January 15, 2020, has been moved to March 16, 2020.
- Filing and payments of both the Monthly Excise Tax returns and the Monthly Use Tax on Imports that were due on January 10, 2020, have been moved to January 31, 2020.
- Filing and payment of Sales and Use Tax Returns due on January 20, 2020, have been moved to January 31, 2020.
- Filing and payment of the first installment of the bi-monthly SUT returns that were due on January 15, 2020, have been moved to January 31, 2020.
The second installment of the Bi-monthly SUT returns and the Internal Revenue licenses for which the renewal period is due on January 2020 remain the same as established by the Code. These are due on January 31, 2020, and the postponement does not apply to the cases listed on CC RI 20-02.
Regarding imports, the TD has taken the necessary measures to ensure that the import and lifting of the merchandise is working properly. To this effect, it informs that the SURI system’s operations are working as usual. The importer must complete the declaration through SURI and pay the corresponding tax in order to be authorized to lift the merchandise.
The postponement DOES NOT APPLY to the following forms; therefore, the due dates remain the same as established in the Code:
- Withholding Vouchers (Form 499R-2/W-2PR) for 2019 that are due on January 31, 2020
- Income Tax Reconciliation of Withholdings on Income (Form499 R-3) for 2019 that is due on January 31, 2020
- Informative Declaration— Interests on Mortgage Payments (Form 480.7A) for 2019 that is due on January 31, 2020
- Informative Declaration—Payments for Auto Leases for 2019 that is due on January 31, 2020
In case the taxpayer complies with his tax responsibilities and files on the above-mentioned dates, the TD will be making the necessary adjustments to its tax information systems in order to grant the automatic waiver on any interests, surcharges, and penalties that could apply. Nevertheless, taxpayers should be aware that if any interests, surcharges, or penalties are imposed, they should request the waiver through SURI or visit any of the 360 Service Centers that are available or working. They should be able to present proof of the filing of the tax returns and declarations as well as of the payments.
