For many that are native to Puerto Rico, the island’s economy is forcing them off the island and onto the main land of the United States. Puerto Rico’s economy is in a death spiral and families are losing their homes and businesses, so why do the rich continue to flock there? The answer can be summed up in two words: tax exemptions.
While the middle and lower economic classes are streaming off the island, the super rich are taking advantage of tax exemptions enacted in 2012 to help the economy. Simply put, Puerto Rico are offering tax exemptions to rich Americans, so they will buy existing businesses and open new ones.
These tax exemptions, which fall under the 2012 Export Services Act and the Individual Investors Act, provide non-residence investors a 3 to 4% flat income tax, zero property tax, as well as 0% tax on earnings and profits.
In addition, investors can enjoy a0% tax on dividends and interest as well as a 0 to 10% tax on long-term capital gains. When compared to tax rates of up to 20% in the United States, it can be quite the incentive for rich investors.
For example, hedge fund owner John Paulson is currently investing $1.5 billion dollars in real estate on the island in the form of luxury resorts and hotels such as the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel and the St Regis Bahia Beach Resort.
While Puerto Rico’s debt crisis continues to worsen, and about 200,000 residents are leaving each year, you can expect the influx of American investment money to continue for the foreseeable future.
Delerme CPA is a certified public accounting firm in Atlanta GA. We are also licensed to operate in Puerto Rico and bilingual. If you are considering a move, call 404-445-8095 and ask for Victor Delerme.
Delerme CPA provides international tax services to businesses and individuals. Our tax services include for business owners include international tax planning, export incentive planning (IC-DISC), foreign tax credits, transfer pricing and much more. For individuals, we provide expatriate tax preparation, inpat for foreign nationals, foreign bank reporting (FBAR), and pre-immigration tax planning. We also help small businesses set up their business within the United States.