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Puerto Rico Reduced Dividend Withholding Rate

IRC §1442(c)(2)

Reduces the standard 30% withholding rate to 10% for dividends received by a Puerto Rican corporation that meets specific ownership and income tests.

Eligibility

Must be a corporation organized in Puerto Rico meeting the requirements of section 881(b)(1) and the local Puerto Rican withholding tax must not exceed 10%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the Puerto Rico Reduced Dividend Withholding Rate?

Must be a corporation organized in Puerto Rico meeting the requirements of section 881(b)(1) and the local Puerto Rican withholding tax must not exceed 10%.

How does the Puerto Rico Reduced Dividend Withholding Rate work?

Reduces the standard 30% withholding rate to 10% for dividends received by a Puerto Rican corporation that meets specific ownership and income tests.

What law authorizes the Puerto Rico Reduced Dividend Withholding Rate?

The Puerto Rico Reduced Dividend Withholding Rate is authorized under IRC §1442(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code (Title 26, United States Code).

Statutory Text — IRC §1442

Source: Internal Revenue Code, Title 26, United States Code

§ 1442. Withholding of tax on foreign corporations(a) General ruleIn the case of foreign corporations subject to taxation under this subtitle, there shall be deducted and withheld at the source in the same manner and on the same items of income as is provided in section 1441 a tax equal to 30 percent thereof. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the references in section 1441(b) to sections 871(a)(1)(C) and (D) shall be treated as referring to sections 881(a)(3) and (4), the reference in section 1441(c)(1) to section 871(b)(2) shall be treated as referring to section 842 or section 882(a)(2), as the case may be, the reference in section 1441(c)(5) to section 871(a)(1)(D) shall be treated as referring to section 881(a)(4), the reference in section 1441(c)(8) to section 871(a)(1)(C) shall be treated as referring to section 881(a)(3), the references in section 1441(c)(9) to sections 871(h) and 871(h)(3) or (4) shall be treated as referring to sections 881(c) and 881(c)(3) or (4), the reference in section 1441(c)(10) to section 871(i)(2) shall be treated as referring to section 881(d), and the references in section 1441(c)(12) to sections 871(a) and 871(k) shall be treated as referring to sections 881(a) and 881(e) (except that for purposes of applying subparagraph (A) of section 1441(c)(12), as so modified, clause (ii) of section 881(e)(1)(B) shall not apply to any dividend unless the regulated investment company knows that such dividend is a dividend referred to in such clause). (b) ExemptionSubject to such terms and conditions as may be provided by regulations prescribed by the Secretary, subsection (a) shall not apply in the case of a foreign corporation engaged in trade or business within the United States if the Secretary determines that the requirements of subsection (a) impose an undue administrative burden and that the collection of the tax imposed by section 881 on such corporation will not be jeopardized by the exemption. (c) Exception for certain possessions corporations(1) Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin IslandsFor purposes of this section, the term “foreign corporation” does not include a corporation created or organized in Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Virgin Islands or under the law of any such possession if the requirements of subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of section 881(b)(1) are met with respect to such corporation. (2) Commonwealth of Puerto Rico(A) In generalIf dividends are received during a taxable year by a corporation—(i) created or organized in, or under the law of, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and (ii) with respect to which the requirements of subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of section 881(b)(1) are met for the taxable year, subsection (a) shall be applied for such taxable year by substituting “10 percent” for “30 percent”.

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