Reporters Daniel Trujillo and Velasco Sury writing for the newspaper El Mundo, explain the main changes introduced by the reform.
1. Income exempt from payment
Employees with monthly incomes of less than or equal to $503.01, without discounts, no longer have to pay tax. Therefore, in 2013, when its time to declare for the fiscal year 2012, they do not have to present documents. However, this year they will, taking into account that they must declare for the year 2011, when they are still liable for this tax and therefore should receive their respective return.
2. Pay less income
The tax reform includes a reduction of income tax and this applies to people who have a monthly salary of between $503.01 and $6,200. That is, workers in this income range will pay less than they did in previous years. This is calculated using a new set of tax tables. For example, those earning $800, who used to pay $56.91 in monthly tax, will now pay $43.42.
3. Retention recalculations
This involves recalculations of tax performed in June and December, with the aim that at the end of each year employers will retain the exact amount of tax due by employees, and not have to file a return. This new method will be applied to workers who add overtime and commissions making their salary subject to tax.
4. Evidence and information for another job
All new employees in the company must submit tax details from their former employer for purposes of consolidation. Also, they must disclose the existence of any other employment for which they receive remuneration in order to determine the rate of tax to be paid. This will only apply from the year 2012.
Source: elmundo.com.sv
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