Incentives for agricultural, film, young entrepreneurs, and other industries

Act 225-1995

New Incentives Code

Incentives were requested and granted directly by the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Secretary of Treasury on a yearly basis.

Bona fide farmers that wish to avail of the benefits of Act 60 shall request a grant of tax exemption from the Secretary of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DEDC), with previous recommendation from the Secretary of Agriculture.

“Bona Fide Farmer” should derive 50% or more of its gross income from an agricultural business as operator, owner or tenant as recorded in its income tax return.

“Bona Fide Farmer” should derive 51% or more of its gross income from an agricultural business as operator, owner or tenant as recorded in its income tax return; or 51% of the production value and/or investment of an agroindustry business as operator, owner or tenant.

Eligible activities include farming of land to produce fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy, among others, for human or animal consumption.

Eligible activities include farming of land to produce fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy, among others, for human or animal consumption or as raw material for other industries.

Bona Fide Farmers are 90% exempt on income from agricultural or agroindustry business.

No change.

Total personal and real property tax exemption on property owned, leased, or held in usufruct by bona fide farmers that are used in a 75% or more in the agricultural business.

Reduces percentage of use of property to 35%. Property should be used in activities covered by the tax grant.

Provides excise tax exemption to certain articles introduced or acquired by bona fide farmers for use in their agricultural business.

The Act provides excise tax exemption to businesses breeding cocks and expands the exemption on gas and diesel oil used by an exempt business to other equipment used on other agroindustry or agricultural operations.

Adopted by Act 26-2008 (revoked by Act 60-2019).

Incentives for Agricultural Research:

• The Department of Agriculture will promote highly technical agriculture, as well as the development of a research plan to quickly meet the needs of local companies and promote an increase in the production and export of agricultural products.
• Will identify the priorities for granting funds to the best proposals in the research areas according to the government's public policy and will establish the necessary mechanisms and regulations to channel the requests for research proposals that are received.
• The Department of Agriculture will submit to the DEDC a formal petition through the Economic Incentives Fund for such agricultural research that has identified as a priority.

Act 27-2011

New Incentives Code

“Film projects” include feature film, short films, documentaries, series in episodes, musical videos, national and international announcements, video games, live recorded shows, recording of original soundtracks, television projects including reality shows, postproduction of one or various film projects.

“Film festivals” are included in the definition of “film projects”.

Net income for eligible activities subject to a fixed 4% income tax rate. Film studio operators are subject to an income tax rate between 6% to 10%.

Standardized 4% income tax rate on net income for eligible activities, including studio operators.

90% exemption on real and personal property dedicated to film activities covered by a tax exemption grant.

75% exemption on real and personal property dedicated to film activities covered a tax exemption grant.

100% exemption on municipal taxes, including municipal license taxes applicable to volume of business.

75% exemption on municipal taxes, including municipal license taxes applicable to volume of business.

Grantees dedicated to film projects may request the following tax credits:

• 40% on Puerto Rico production expenses.
• 20% on payments to qualified non-residents (above-the-line talent).
• Certain projects can obtain a tax credit of up to 90% if the project complies with requirements.

Credit system is simplified. The 40% and 20% credits are maintained. The following credit is adopted:

• Up to fifteen percent (15%) of Puerto Rico Production Expenses, excluding payments made to a Foreign Person, in full-length films, series, or documentaries in which a Domestic Producer is in charge of the Film Project and the director, the cinematographer, the editor, the production designer, the post-production supervisor, or the line producer are Domestic Persons, up to a maximum of four million ($4,000,000) of the tax credit per Film Project under this provision.