Let's remember that the scale of the Individual Income Tax (IRI) in Haiti was established on September 29, 2005, on the basis of the minimum wage, set on April 1st, 2003 which was at the time 70.00 Gourdes per day for "Industrial, commercial or agricultural establishments", i.e. 25,200.00 Gdes per year for an employee working 6 days per week.

The Haitian Government tried to adjust this scale in the 2018-2019 finance bill, but the latter was not adopted. The 2005 scale therefore remains that in force:

Less than 60,000 Gdes per year: 0% (2.4 times the minimum wage at the time)

Between 60,000 and 240,000 Gdes: 10% (2.4 to 9.5 times the minimum wage

Between 240,000 and 480,000 Gdes: 15% (9.5 to 19.0 times the minimum wage)

Between 480,000 and 1,000,000 Gdes: 25% (19.0 to 40.0 times the minimum wage)

From 1 million Gdes: 30% (40.0 times the minimum wage)

With the classification of different Sectors, there are several minimum salaries. For example, employees of export industries, Sector F. Whose minimum wage has been set at 685.00 Gdes per day (246,600 per year), lose 11% of their salary per year in taxes.

The Association of Industries of Haiti (ADIH) wishes to propose a new Scale for the IRI based on the established minimum wage and not on an amount in Gourdes. In this way, the IRI scale will be automatically adjusted as the minimum wage is adjusted.

Proposal based on the minimum wage of Sector F:

Less than 2.0 times the minimum wage (sector F) 0%

Between 2.0 and 4.0 times the minimum wage: 10%

Between 4.0 and 8.0 times the minimum wage: 15%

Between 8.0 and 16.0 times the minimum wage: 25%

From 16.0 times the minimum wage: 30%

ADIH also proposes that the Social Assistance Fund (CAS), the Tax Contribution for the Management of Territorial Communities (CFGDCT) and the Emergency Fund (FDU), be applied only to income above 2.0 times the minimum wage

In discussions with the Ministry of Economy and Finance indicated that it did not want to lose income from this source. We suggested working sessions with the Ministry's technicians to try to find a solution that works both for our employees and for the Ministry. This solution could even include a tax bracket higher than 30%, explains ADIH, which concludes by recalling "Levying high taxes on low-income workers hinders the formalization of informal workers."

HL/ HaitiLibre