How to Close a Business in Puerto Rico with Hacienda and CRIM
Closing a business does not end when you take down the sign. This checklist helps you close in order with Hacienda, the Labor Department, your municipality, CRIM and the State Department.
Guides · 11 articles
Business
Merchant registration, IVU sales tax, municipal license tax, corporate and partnership tax, payroll withholding, informative returns and certifications.
Puerto Rico Corporate Income Tax Rates and Filing
Corporations in Puerto Rico pay an 18.5% normal tax plus a surtax of up to 19%. Here are the rates, Form 480.2, due dates, estimated tax and when audited statements are required.
Doing Business in Puerto Rico: Taxes Every Owner Should Know
The main Puerto Rico taxes and registrations for a small or mid-size business, explained in English: merchant registration, the IVU sales tax, municipal license tax, corporate income tax and payroll.
Puerto Rico Employer Obligations, Withholding and Returns
Having employees in Puerto Rico means withholding tax for Hacienda, paying into unemployment and SINOT, and meeting federal Social Security rules. Here is the full map, with dates and forms.
Hacienda and CRIM Debt and Filing Certifications
Banks, agencies and municipalities often ask for proof that you are current with Hacienda and the CRIM. We explain which certifications exist, what they are for and how to get them.
Puerto Rico 480.6 and 480.7 informative returns: dates, penalties
If your business pays $500 or more in a year to a contractor, a landlord or another person, you probably need to file an informative return. We explain the forms, dates and penalties.
IVU Sales Tax in Puerto Rico: 11.5% and 4% Rates, Exemptions
The general IVU is 11.5% (10.5% state and 1% municipal), and many business-to-business and professional services pay 4%. We explain what is taxable, what is exempt and how to collect it.
How to Get Puerto Rico Merchant Registration in SURI
Before you sell goods or provide services in Puerto Rico, you need Hacienda's Merchant Registration Certificate. Here is who needs it, how to apply in SURI and what to do when something changes.
Monthly IVU Return in SURI, Due Dates, Payment and Penalties
The monthly IVU return is due on the 20th of each month and, since July 2026, includes the municipal IVU of 73 municipalities. Here is how to file, pay and avoid surcharges.
Puerto Rico Municipal License Tax (Patente) Rates and Dates
The patente municipal is the tax each municipality charges on a business's volume of business. We explain who pays it, the legal caps, the deadlines and the 5% discount.
How partnerships and LLCs are taxed in Puerto Rico
A Puerto Rico LLC can be taxed as a corporation, a pass-through entity or a disregarded entity. We explain the options, Form 480.2(EC), the reports to owners and the deadlines.
Calculators for this topic
See all →IVU sales tax calculator
State and municipal IVU on a sale or service.
Hacienda interest and surcharges
What a late payment adds: interest, surcharges and penalties.
