Incentives Code- new Provisions for Tourist Activities

Act 74- 2010

New Code

Total Projected Cost:

“Total project costs” comprises a defined list of expenses and disbursements incurred by an Eligible Business in the development of a Tourist Activity.

As a general rule, only expenses incurred after the Pre-Application Meeting with the Puerto Rico Tourism Company representatives will be considered in the computation of the Total Project Cost.  However, the Executive Director may exercise his/her discretion to allow the inclusion of expenses incurred prior to the aforementioned Pre-Application Meeting if it is in the best interest of Puerto Rico.

The Incentives Code keeps the “Total Project Cost” definition.

The Executive Director’s discretion to allow other types of expenses through regulations or expenses incurred prior to the Pre-Application Meeting to the Secretary (the “Secretary”) of the Department of Economic Development & Commerce. Moreover, the Secretary must consult the Secretary of the Treasury to allow the latter.

Mixed-use Developments:

In the case of mixed-use developments, the Total Project Cost will include all the costs listed in the Act 74-2010, provided that at least 70% of the total project area is tourism development, without consideration of common elements of the project, for purposes of determining the Alternate Tourism Investment Tax Credits under Section 5(b) of the Act 74-2010.

The Incentives Code eliminates the 70% mixed-use exception.

Eligible Investment:

For purposes of the Tourism Investment Tax Credits under Section 5(a), an “Eligible Investment” comprises:

• cash contributions to the Eligible (or Exempt) Business, in exchange for a primary issue of stock or participation in said business, or a condo hotel unit;
• FMV of land and existing structures contributed to an eligible (or exempt) business in exchange for a primary issue of stock or participation in said business;
• cash contributions made by the Government of Puerto Rico, or any subsidiary, to the eligible (or exempt) business in exchange for stock, participation or subordinated debt of said business;
• loans, financing commitments made by the Hotel Development Corporation.

For purposes of the Alternate Tourism Investment Tax Credits under Section 5(b), and “Eligible Investment” comprises:

• the amount of cash used by the Eligible (or Exempt) Business to cover the Total Project Costs;
• investment made by the Eligible (or Exempt) Business with cash from a loan that is guaranteed by the business or its assets, as well as by a parent or affiliate company.

The totality of the invested funds must be solely and exclusively used for the acquisition and development of tourism facilities to be considered as eligible investment.

As a rule, only contributions made after the Pre-Application Meeting with the PR Tourism Company representatives will be considered in the determination of what constitutes an Eligible Investment.  However, the Executive Director may exercise his/her discretion to allow investments made prior to the Pre-Application Meeting if it is in the best interest of Puerto Rico.

The Incentives Code keeps the “Eligible Investment” definition from the Act 74-210. Moreover, it adds that “loans that are guaranteed by the Exempt Business or its assets” will be considered an Eligible Investment. Also, the Act clarifies that monies received from insurance policies and used in the project will not constitute an Eligible Investment.

Nonetheless, it eliminates the portion of the definition that pertains to the Alternate Tourism Investment Tax Credits under Section 5(b).

Eligible Business:

Any new or existing business not covered under any of the previous Tourism Development Acts, or an exempt business that surrenders its Incentives Resolution or Grant issued under previous Tourism Development Acts, in exchange for a Grant under Act 74-2010.

Similar to the language of Act 74-2010, the Incentives Code will apply to a New or Existing business that is not covered under any of the previous Tourism Development Acts, or those that surrender their existing Grant.

Tourism Activity:

Ownership and/or Administration of:

• hotels, condo hotels, “paradores”, agro-lodging, guesthouses, time shares and vacations clubs, lodgings under the “posadas de Puerto Rico” program or certified as “B&B’s”;
• theme parks, golf courses operated by exempt hotel or within a resort and tourist marinas, as well as agro-tourism, nautical tourism and medical tourism facilities or activities;
• operation of business that leases property to an Exempt Business;
• development and administration of sustainable tourism and eco-tourism businesses, as well as natural resources facilities.

The Incentives Code keeps the tourism activity definition from     Act 74-2010 and adds “casino operations” and “eSports & Fantasy Leagues” as Eligible Businesses.

Income Tax:

Tourism Development Income (“TDI”) and distributions from said income benefit from an income tax exemption of up to 90%.

The remaining 10% is subject to the applicable tax rates under the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code, as amended (the “PRIRC”).

The Incentives Code eliminates the 90% exemption and instead establishes a flat 4% tax rate on TDI.

Also, adds a section on the exempt nature of distributions from TDI’s E&P.

Flexible Exemption:

Exempt Business may elect to suspend the application of the Income Tax exemption for a particular year by including a notice to that effect on its income tax return for said taxable year.

Even with this suspension, the total number of years that an exempt business may enjoy the exemption cannot exceed 10 years.

No changes, though the exemption period is longer under the Incentives Code (as we note below).

Royalty Income:

Royalty Income is subject to 12% tax rate. 

No changes

Property Tax:

Property used in the Exempt Business is afforded a 90% exemption on real and personal property taxes.

Exemption is reduced to a 75% tax exemption.

Municipal License Taxes:

Act 74-2010 provides an exemption from municipal licenses fees, excise and other taxes that will depend on whether the Exempt Business is new (100% exemption) or existing (90% exemption). 

Exemption is reduced to a 50% tax exemption for both new and existing businesses.

Sales & Use Taxes:

Up to 100% exemption from sales and use taxes with respect to items acquired and used by the Exempt Business in relation to the Tourist Activity.

No changes

Construction Excise Tax:

Up to a 100% exemption on any tax, levy, fee, license, excise tax, rate, or charge for the construction of works to be devoted to a tourist activity within a municipality.

Exemption is reduced to a 75% tax exemption.

Changes the formula to determine amount to be taken as exemption in the case of condo hotels, specifically in the annual reduction of the exemption applicable to certain units from 240 months to 180 months. 

Fuel Exemption:

100% exemption from excise taxes on crude oil, and other hydrocarbons mixture used by the Exempt Business.

No changes

Commencement of Exemption Period:

• Income Taxes: at the commencement date of Tourist Activity
• Property Taxes:
  • Existing Business: January 1st of the year on which the exemption petition was filed.
  • New Business: January 1st of the calendar year on which the Tourism Activity started.
• Municipal License Taxes: nearest January 1st or July 1st, after the filing date of the exemption petition.
• Sales & Use Tax: 30 days after the filing of the exemption petition.
• Construction Excise Taxes: from the filing date of the exemption petition.

No changes

Postponement of Commencement Dates:

Exempt Business may postpone the commencement of the exemption period for up to 36 months.

No changes

N/A

New section

Tax Exemption Requirements:

The Incentives Code states that every tourism project be evaluated upon the following criteria:

• jobs: the employment level of the project
• harmonious integration: that the Tourism Activity has considered the surrounding areas’ environment, geography and raw material in its design and development
• commitment with economic activity: to the extent possible, the Tourism Activity will source the raw materials and products for its development and operations from Puerto Rico businesses
• commitment with local agriculture: to the extent possible, the Tourism Activity will acquire its produce from local farmers/vendors
• knowledge transfer: to the extent possible, the Tourism Activity will engage the professional services of businesses with presence in Puerto Rico

The Secretary of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce is solely responsible for the Exempt Business’ compliance with these eligibility requirements.  Moreover, it is his/her responsibility to establish a formula that can quantify the above referenced requirements’ in relation to the Cash Grant and subtract the corresponding portion for those requirements that were not met by the Exempt Business.

Transfer of Exempt Business:

As a rule, the transfer of an Exempt Business must be approved by the Executive Director.  However, the Executive Director may retroactively approve any transfer made without his/her approval when the circumstances of the case warrant such approval.

Instead of notifying the Executive Director, the transfer of a majority of the stock or proprietary interest in the Exempt Business will now need to be notified to the Department of Economic Development and Commerce.

Interrelation with Other Laws:

The provisions of the Act 74-2010 cannot not be used jointly with other tax incentives laws in such a manner that the joint application of both laws causes the obtainment of benefits that exceed those to which a Petitioner would be entitled under any of the laws applied individually.

The Incentives Code retains the prohibition against the colloquially known “double dipping” but it includes an exception for benefits under sections 3010.01 (Tax Credit for Touristic Investment) and 5010.01 (Economic Incentives Funds).

Waiver & Other Exemptions:

Section 11 of Act 74-2010 waives the requirement of a personal property leasing license, as required under Act 20-1973, to lessees who lease personal property to exempt businesses.

Also, the Act provides a 90% percent exemption from the payment of internal revenue, legal aid, or any other stamps required by law or regulation for the execution, issue of any certified copy, submittal, registration, and any other operations at the Property Registry; and tariffs, levies, taxes, and fees for its submittal, registration and any other operations at the Property Registry.

Includes “cancellations of mortgages” under the definition of “real or contractual right that do not have access to property registration”.

Tax Credits:

As noted above, the Act 74-2010 allows for the concession of Tourism Investment Tax Credits under Section 5(a) and Alternate Tourism Investment Tax Credits under Section 5(b).

Credits under 5(a):

50% of the Eligible Investment

• 50% of the credit can be used on the year in which the project secured the complete financing for the construction of the tourism project; the remaining 50% credit will be available on the following year
• the maximum amount of Tax Credits under Section 5(a) will be the lesser amount between 50% of the cash contributed by the Investors and 10% of the Total Project Cost. 

Alternate Credits under 5(b):

40% of Eligible Investment

• the Tax Credit can be taken in three (3) equal installments, commencing on the Exempt Business’ second year of operations
• the maximum amount of the Alternate Tax Credit under Section 5(b)(1) will be 40% percent of the Total Project Cost.

30% of Eligible Investment

• in this case, the Exempt Business can take 10% of aforesaid eligible investment as a credit on the year that it secured the financing for the construction of the tourism project, with remaining balance being taken in three (3) equal installments: 1/3 when the Exempt Business receives its first paying guest; and the remaining 2/3 on the subsequent years, in equal portions
• the maximum amount of the Alternate Tax Credit under Section 5(b)(2) will be 30% percent of the Total Project Cost.

The Incentives Code dispenses with the 50% tax credit but maintains the 30 and 40% alternatives.

The maximum amount of tax credit for tourist investment will be 30% or 40% of the total project cost.

Adds that the date of commencement of operations must be made under sworn declaration filed within 90 days of commencement of operations.

Establishes the order of usage of proceeds from the sale of tax credits for tourist investment, as well as the manner of disposition of such credits.

Further confirms that the ownership of the tax credits granted under the Code will belong to the Exempt Business, not the Investors.

Term of Tax Exemption Decree:

10 years

Increases exemption period to 15 years. 

Extension of Tax Exemption Decree:

The 10-year exemption period can be extended for an additional 10 years. 

 Increases extended period to an additional 15 years.

Renegotiation of Tax Exemption Decree:

Any Exempt Business under the 1993 Tourism Development Act can request the renegotiation of its Tax Exemption Decree to avail itself of the benefits under the Act 74-2010 if:

• the Exempt Business complies with all the requirements of the 2010 Act, including but not limited to a substantial expansion or renovation its facilities, along with any other condition the Executive Director might impose;
• the Executive Director, with the Secretary of the Treasury’s previous favorable recommendation, determines that the renegotiation of the Exempt Business’ Tax Exemption Decree serves best social and economic interests of Puerto Rico; AND
• the Exempt Business surrenders its Tax Exemption Decree under the 1993 Act.

A renegotiated Tax Exemption Decree will last for the established 10-year period.

The Incentives Code will allow for the renegotiation of Tax Exemption Decree, but the requirements and provisions for said renegotiation will be consigned in the Regulations to the Code.

Tax Decrees under Act 74-2010:

Applications for tax incentives under Act 74-2010 will be accepted until December 31, 2019.