A. M. 
The Treasury and Special Budget Commission approved a favorable opinion to reform the Special Transitory Law of Incentives and Preferential Treatment for the Repatriation of salvadorans. According to the Director of Customs, Benjamín Mayorga, this law has benefited 469 salvadorans and has allowed tax exemptions in excess of US$3 million.
The modifications seek to eliminate barriers that hinder the return of salvadorans residing abroad. Among the proposed changes is the elimination of the requirement of having a permanent address in El Salvador to access the benefits, something that Mayorga says limits those who can only visit the country temporarily for work or family reasons.
The changes also extend privileges for the importation of goods. Beneficiaries will be able to bring in up to two light vehicles without paying import duties and taxes, as well as the special tax on the first registration of goods. In addition, they will be exempted from payment of the Import Tariff Duty (DAI) and VAT on family goods whose total value does not exceed US$73,000.
Another key aspect is that state institutions will allow legal representation through powers of attorney or the use of certified electronic signatures, facilitating access to these incentives. Likewise, they will be able to issue internal regulations such as circulars or resolutions to guarantee the correct application of the reforms.
Congressman Giovanny Zaldaña emphasized that these changes seek to respond to the needs of the compatriots. “Many salvadorans felt that they were abandoning their families abroad by moving their domicile permanently. Now they will have the option to do so permanently or temporarily”, he said.
Zaldaña also emphasized that the new provisions will allow the procedures to be carried out by proxies. This will benefit those who work in countries such as the United States and cannot return to the country due to their work responsibilities or immigration processes.
The reforms to this law represent an effort to maintain the link with Salvadorans abroad, offering them more flexibility to return and contribute to the development of the country. The opinion will soon be discussed in the legislative plenary for its final approval.
