TLDR
- The Dominican Republic has passed an anti-crisis economic package targeting fiscal reform
- Large companies earning over 1 billion pesos will face a temporary 3-point corporate tax surcharge, raising the rate to 30%
- New taxes planned for casinos and gambling, though details are not yet confirmed
- Check fees and e-transfer fees will rise from 0.15% to 0.2%
- The National Lottery may become a fully independent state body overseeing all gambling regulation
The Dominican Republic has launched a broad economic reform package aimed at stabilizing public finances and protecting lower-income citizens during ongoing global economic pressure.
Finance and Economy Minister Magín Díaz said the package would help achieve “a more sustainable state of public finances.” The government expects to raise between 40 and 50 billion Dominican pesos from the measures.
The plan focuses on four areas: pro-growth policies, tax simplification, anti-evasion measures, and fiscal consolidation.
Corporate Tax Hike Targets Biggest Earners
The government will impose a temporary three-percentage-point surcharge on Corporate Income Tax through the end of 2028. That would push the rate from 27% to 30%.
Only companies with revenues above 1 billion pesos per year are affected. That group makes up roughly 0.8% of all active businesses in the country.
Other revenue measures include raising e-transfer and check fees from 0.15% to 0.2%, a new selective consumption tax on electronic cigarettes, and a $10 increase on airline ticket taxes.
Higher taxes on casinos and gambling are also planned, but the government has not yet released specific details on those rates.
National Lottery Set for Major Restructuring
Alongside the tax changes, the Dominican Senate is reviewing a bill that would turn the National Lottery into a fully independent state institution.
Senator Pedro Tineo is promoting the legislation. If passed, the National Lottery would become the main regulator for lotteries, sports betting, casinos, and electronic games across the country.
Right now, the National Lottery sits under the Ministry of Finance and performs duties alongside the Directorate of Casinos and Games of Chance.
The new structure would give the Lottery powers over inspection, regulation, and enforcement of gambling activities nationwide.
Tax collection and legal compliance would be handled by the General Directorate of Internal Taxes. The National Lottery would sit on an Advisory Council overseeing the implementation plan.
The legislative move follows the government’s activation of Decree 197-26, the National Regularization Plan for lottery offices, betting houses, and gaming businesses.
National Lottery Administrator Teófilo Tabar has been named temporary head of the regularization program.
The reforms reflect a push by Dominican authorities to bring greater structure and revenue generation to a gambling sector that has operated under fragmented oversight.
No timeline has been confirmed for the Senate vote on the National Lottery restructuring bill.
