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Uruguay
Overview
Last reviewed - 01 July 2020The Republic of Uruguay is located in South America, between Brazil and Argentina, with a coast on the Atlantic Ocean. It is divided into 19 departments, with Montevideo as the capital and chief port. Spanish is the official language of Uruguay, and the currency is the Uruguayan peso (UYU).
Uruguay has existed as an independent republic since 18 July 1830, when its first Constitution was approved. Since then, it has taken advantage of its natural harbour to become an important commercial centre.
In 2019, the economic activity grew 0.2% (compared to 2018), a figure that confirmed seventeen years of uninterrupted growth, the longest and biggest rate expansion cycle in the country's history.
In terms of activities, telecommunications was the sector that had the greatest impact in the overall growth, increasing 3.5% YoY. Excluding that sector, the GDP drop 0.5% last year, with most sectors of activity in recession.
In terms of components of demand, it highlights the private investment growth for the first time since 2014, and exports increasing 1.2% after falling the previous year. On the other hand, private consumption continues with its deceleration, growing only 0.5%.
The new President took office in March 1st, 2020. Two weeks later the plans had to be dramatically changed because of the world COVID-19 pandemic. The measures taken to control the virus generate a large shock for the economic activity. However, the trust of investors in the country was confirmed by the success of the emission of public bonds in the international market.
Uruguay's strengths in this context are a financial system less exposed to exchange rate risk, less dollarization of public debt (approximately 10%) and the investor grade. The main macro weakness is a deficit level of 5% of GDP that is expected to increase due to a drop in activity and an increase in spending in some areas, which limits government policies. PwC Uruguay currently has offices located in Montevideo city, the World Trade Center Free Zone, Zonamerica business park, and Punta del Este, with over 400 professionals trained in audit, accounting, tax, economics, information technology (IT), human resources, and operational management. This places PwC as one of the largest professional services organisations in Uruguay.
Quick rates and dates
| Corporate income tax (CIT) rates | |
|---|---|
| Headline CIT rate (%) |
25 |
| Corporate income tax (CIT) due dates | |
|---|---|
| CIT return due date |
By the end of the fourth month following the date of the fiscal year-end. |
| CIT final payment due date |
By the end of the fourth month following the date of the fiscal year-end. |
| CIT estimated payment due dates |
Tax is paid monthly by way of advance payments. |
| Personal income tax (PIT) rates | |
|---|---|
| Headline PIT rate (%) |
Residents: 36; Non-residents: 12 |
| Personal income tax (PIT) due dates | |
|---|---|
| PIT return due date |
Residents: Between June and August, depending on the ID number. Non-residents: In May. |
| PIT final payment due date |
Residents: The first payment is due towards the end of August. Non-residents: In May. |
| PIT estimated payment due dates |
Residents - Labor income: Under employment relationship, tax is collected through monthly withholdings. Self-employed workers are required to make advanced payments on a bimonthly basis. Residents - Other incomes: Taxpayers must make advanced payments on a monthly basis. Non-Residents: Mainly collected by way of withholding on a monthly basis. |
| Value-added tax (VAT) rates | |
|---|---|
| Standard VAT rate (%) |
22 (reduced 10% VAT rate applicable to certain goods and services). |
| Withholding tax (WHT) rates | |
|---|---|
| WHT rates (%) (Div/Int/Roy) |
Resident: 0, 7, or 12 / 0, 7, or 12 / 0 or 12; Non-resident: 0 or 7 / 0, 7, or 12 / 0 or 12. Incomes obtained by entities resident, domiciled or located in LNTJs, are taxed at 25%. |
| Capital gains tax (CGT) rates | |
|---|---|
| Corporate capital gains tax rate (%) |
Capital gains are subject to CIT, taxed at 25% (there is no corporate capital gains tax in Uruguay). |
| Individual capital gains tax rate (%) |
There is no individual capital gains tax in Uruguay. Capital gains are subject to IRPF or IRNR, taxed at 12% (with some exceptions). |
| Net wealth/worth tax rates | |
|---|---|
| Headline net wealth/worth tax rate (%) |
Individuals are subject to NWT at a progressive scale of rates. For non-residents that are not subject to IRNR: 0.7% to 1.5%. For residents and non-residents subject to IRNR: 0.4% to 0.7%. |
| Inheritance and gift tax rates | |
|---|---|
| Inheritance tax rate (%) |
NA |
| Gift tax rate (%) |
NA |
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