NEW YORK – The latest topic added to Thomson Reuters Checkpoint Catalyst examines consumption taxes in Puerto Rico. It provides an in-depth analysis of both the soon-to-be implemented value-added tax (VAT) and the transitional sales and use tax currently in effect.

This coverage comes at a crucial time. On June 1, 2016, Puerto Rico will become the first U.S. jurisdiction to adopt a VAT to replace its sales and use tax regime. The transition to this new scheme began in 2015 and has been controversial. The VAT’s 10.5% rate, plus a 1% municipal sales and use tax, will apply broadly to tangible property and services, though exemptions and a special 0% reduced rate will apply to certain transactions.

“The VAT is fragmentarily collected in separate transactions along the supply chain. It has been praised as ‘transparent’ and ‘self-administered’ because every merchant in the supply chain has to collaborate in the VAT’s collection and remittance,” said Jeanelle Alemar-Escabí, a San Juan-based attorney and principal of JAE Legal Services, LLC, as well as the author of the new Thomson Reuters content.

The increased participation required by merchants under the VAT means that affected businesses will have new reporting and documentation responsibilities. Checkpoint Catalyst identifies these important compliance obligations. It also includes relevant legislative activity and recently released official material and proposed regulations.

Checkpoint Catalyst will closely monitor all developments leading up to and following the VAT’s introduction and will incorporate relevant updates into its coverage.

Checkpoint Catalyst also provides expert guidance on a range of other topics involving complicated areas of state taxation, including:

• E-Commerce
• Nexus
• Allocation and Apportionment
• Sales and Use Tax: Drop Shipments

For more information about Checkpoint Catalyst, visit checkpointcatalyst.com.

Thomson Reuters Checkpoint provides integrated research, editorial insight, productivity tools, online learning and news updates along with intelligent links to related content and software. It is relied on by thousands of tax and accounting professionals, 97 of the Top 100 U.S. law firms, 99 of the Fortune 100 companies, and all of the top 100 U.S. CPA firms.

Thomson Reuters
Thomson Reuters is the world’s leading source of news and information for professional markets. Our customers rely on us to deliver the intelligence, technology and expertise they need to find trusted answers. The business has operated in more than 100 countries for more than 100 years. Thomson Reuters shares are listed on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges. For more information, visit www.thomsonreuters.com.

CONTACT

Dana Greenstein
Public Relations Manager
Tax & Accounting
Tel: +1 201 536 4397
Email: dana.greenstein@thomsonreuters.com