Simple Tax Guide for Americans in Ecuador
US Expat Taxes - Ecuador
At Taxes for Expats we have been preparing U.S. tax returns for U.S. Citizens and green card holders working in Ecuador for over 8 years. Our clients hail from all parts of the country - Guayaquil and Quito, Cuenca and Machala, Santo Domingo and Portoviejo.
As a U.S. Citizen or green card holder you are legally required to file a U.S. tax return each year regardless of whether you already pay taxes in your residence country.
We offer professional tax services. That means we figure out the best and most optimal way to file your U.S. tax return and avail you of all possible exclusions and deductions. But just as importantly - avoid the errors that would allow IRS to disallow your return and levy fines & penalties on top. You can also do them yourself - not that we recommend it. For more information please see IRS.
The expatriate Foreign Earned Income Exclusion can only be claimed if you file your tax return on a timely basis. It is not automatic if you fail to file and can even be lost.
We have many clients living in Ecuador and know how to integrate your U.S. taxes into the local income taxes you pay. Any Ecuadorian income tax you already pay can be claimed as against the tax liability on your U.S. return on the same income.
As an expat living abroad you get an automatic extension to file until June 15th following the calendar year end. (You cannot file using the calendar year as is standard in Ecuador for U.S. tax purposes). You must, however, pay any tax that may be due by April 15th in order to avoid penalties and interest. You can get an extension to file (if you request it) until October 15th.
There are other forms which must be filed if you have foreign bank or financial accounts; foreign investment company; or own 10% or more of a foreign corporation or foreign partnership. If you do not file these form or file them late, the IRS can impose penalties of $10,000 or more per form. These penalties are due regardless of whether you owe income taxes or not.
We have helped hundreds of expats around the world catch up with their past U.S. taxes because they have failed to file U.S. tax returns for many years. This is, in fact, our specialty and we offer a 10% discount to clients to wish to file multiple tax returns at once and get in full compliance with the IRS.
Work with a recognized expert to help you prepare your American tax return. We can also provide tax planning and advice with other expatriate tax; we look forward to working with you.
Personal Income Tax Rates in Ecuador
Below we include information on the Ecuadorian Tax System for the American Expatriates.
Ecuador personal income tax rates are progressive, up to 35%.
Income tax is payable by Ecuadorian resident individuals on non-exempt income derived from all sources. Non-resident individuals are required only to pay tax on Ecuadorian-source income. Residence is determined by reference to common law or to domicile or where the individual has spent more than one-half of the relevant income year in Ecuador unless he or she has a usual place of abode outside Ecuador and does not intend to take up residence in Ecuador.
Income tax is payable on assessable income less allowable deductions. Assessable income includes business income, employment income, certain capital gains, rent and interest. Allowable deductions include interest and certain other outgoings paid in gaining the assessable income and gifts to specified bodies.
Most individual taxpayers have tax instalments deducted from each salary and wage payment made by their employers. Self-employed individuals and those with non-salary and wage income ordinarily pay a provisional tax which is an interim payment during the year in anticipation of the assessment of tax after the end of the income year.
| Taxable income (US$) | Fixed tax on lower limit (US$) | Marginal Rate on excess % |
| Up to 11,270 | – | 0% |
| 11,270 to 14,360 | – | 5% |
| 14,360 to 17,950 | 155 | 10% |
| 17,950 to 21,550 | 514 | 12% |
| 21,550 to 43,100 | 946 | 15% |
| 43,100 to 64,630 | 4,178 | 20% |
| 64,630 to 86,180 | 8,484 | 25% |
| 86,180 to 114,890 | 13,872 | 30% |
| More than 114,890 | 22,485 | 35% |
Basis – Resident individuals are taxed on their worldwide income; nonresidents are taxed only on Ecuadorian-source income.
Residence – An individual is deemed to be resident if he/she is in Ecuador for more than 6 months in a year.
Filing status – Joint filing is not permitted; each individual must file a separate return.
Taxable income – Foreign income that has been subject to tax in another jurisdiction is not taxed in Ecuador. For resident individuals, dividends are deemed to be part of worldwide income (the 25% tax paid by the distributing company may be used as a tax credit).
Capital gains – Capital gains are treated as ordinary income and taxed at the normal rate.
Deductions and allowances – Deductions are permitted up to a maximum amount of USD 11,563 for personal expenses (housing, education, food, health, clothing, etc.) and social security paid by the individual.
Ecuador Corporate Tax
The company tax rate is 22 to 28%. Capitalised profits have a 12 to 18% tax rate. The tax year runs from 1 January to 31 December. Tax is payable from 2–28 April, depending on the tax identification number. However, the first year's taxes obligate the company to pay 50% of that first year's taxes in two equal quotas: 30 July and 30 September of the second year. The remaining balance is expected to be paid before the deadline in the third year, included in the liquidation of the second year's exercise.
Company tax is payable by Ecuadorian resident companies on non-exempt income derived from all sources. Non-resident companies are required to pay tax on income sourced in Ecuador.
Resident companies are those that are incorporated in Ecuador, or carry on business in Ecuador and have either central management and control in Ecuador or voting power controlled by shareholders who are Ecuadorian residents.
CAPITAL GAINS TAX
In general, capital gains are taxed as ordinary income.
BRANCH PROFITS TAX
There is no specific income tax for branches. Income made by branches is taxed according to general income tax rules. A very important exception is the treatment of foreign oil companies involved in state contracts.
FRINGE BENEFITS TAX
No fringe benefits are deductible as expenses in income tax liquidation. The only exception is that the company is allowed to pay its employee income tax and social security contribution, if the company has contracted to do so.
LOCAL TAXES
There are many and diverse taxes applied at local or regional levels. These include: urban property, rain water drainage, fire insurance, individual and corporate net worth, state university funds, fire department, transfer of property, etc. Nominally, there are no stamp duties.
OTHER TAXES
Other taxes imposed by the Ecuadorian Government include excise duties and oil and gas resources revenue taxes. Likewise, the Superintendence of Companies, the Superintendence of Banks, Financial Institutions and Insurance Companies charge annual fees to the companies they supervise.
DEPRECIATION
Business assets are subject to depreciation. Costs are recovered in accordance of the goods involved based on their useful life and accounting techniques. In general, it is taken over five to 20 years.
STOCK/INVENTORY
Inventories are valued at cost in accordance with general accounting principles and standards established in regulations to the law.
CAPITAL GAINS AND LOSSES
Net capital gains and losses generally are included in the determination of assessable income.
DIVIDENDS
Dividends received by resident companies from other resident companies are tax free. Dividends received from non-resident companies are tax free. Interest deductions
Interest is deductible. The deduction of interest and the cost of foreign financing are allowed only if the loan has been registered with the Central Bank of Ecuador.
The following payments abroad are specifically deductible and are not subject to income tax in Ecuador;
- interest and commissions on financing granted by a foreign supplier for the amount appearing in the import permit; and
- interest and commissions on foreign credit authorised by and registered with the Central Bank.
LOSSES
Companies which have sustained operating losses in a tax year may carry such losses forward to subsequent tax years and set them off over five years at the rate of 20% per annum, provided that not more than 25% of the profits obtained in each fiscal year are allotted for such purposes. The carry back of losses is not permitted.
FOREIGN SOURCED INCOME
Domestic corporations are subject to taxes on their worldwide income with tax credits allowed for income taxes paid abroad.
TAX INCENTIVES
Specific write-offs are provided for the mining and oil primary production industries. Expenditure on research and development also qualifies for special treatment.
FOREIGN TAX RELIEF
A general income tax exemption was introduced from 30 December 2007 in respect of income derived abroad that has been subject to income tax in another state and, accordingly, the ordinary tax credit method has been terminated.
CORPORATE GROUPS
No provisions exist for filing consolidated returns or relieving losses within a group.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Prior to administrative service fees being deductible when paid to foreign affiliates, the appropriate government authority must grant approval. Such payments are exempt from withholding tax. Other payments to foreign affiliates will only be deductible where income tax at 25% has been withheld.
WITHHOLDING TAX;
Dividends paid to non-residents are subject to a 25% withholding tax with a tax credit for company tax paid (ordinarily at 25%) being allowed against this withholding tax. Royalties, service and rental fees attract the same 25% withholding tax. However, interest payments are exempt from such a withholding tax (see 'Interest Deductions' above).
EXCHANGE CONTROL
Limited control is exercised. Direct foreign loans generally must be registered.
THIN CAPITALIZATION
Interest payments on foreign loans granted by a related party are deductible only if the foreign debt does not exceed 300% of the entity's paid-in capital.
TAX YEAR
Ecuador tax year is the calendar year.
Ecuador SALES TAX / Value Added Tax RateS (VAT)
There is a 12% value added tax applied to all transactions including imports. There is a 0% rate on food items, agricultural inputs, medical goods, books and government purchases, and some professional services.
This tax is payable one month following the transaction from the 6th to the 28th depending on the firm's tax identification numbers.
Questions about taxes in Ecuador?
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