Dominican Republic: Proposed Tax Reform Likely to Have a Negative Impact over US Agricultural Exports to the Dominican Republic
On October 7, 2024, the Government of the Dominican Republic announced a proposed a tax reform bill that could have significant implications for U.S. agricultural exports, particularly in the pork, beef, and beverage sectors. The proposal has sparked considerable public opposition and protests. Key changes include a shift to an 18 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) on most consumer-oriented products and selective taxes on alcoholic beverages will increase, leading to an estimated 17 percent rise in retail prices, while a new tax on “sugary” non-alcoholic beverages could raise prices by 11 percent.