Deputies of the Congress of the Republic They seek to give vehicle owners more time to pay the Circulation Taxthrough a temporary law that proposes moving the expiration to the last business day of November 2026.
The initiative was presented by Congressman Byron Rodríguez, from the Todos legislative bloc, who argued that the measure seeks to alleviate the economic burden of taxpayers in the face of rising fuel costs, the deterioration of the road network and the economic context of the country.
The project clarifies that it is not an exemption or elimination of the tax, but rather an extraordinary extension of the period to comply with the tax obligation without incurring fines, late payment and interest.
During the program Direct Impactof Guatevisionthe proposal presented in Congress to extend the payment of the Tax on Vehicle Circulationwhose expiration remains set for July 31while the initiative still must go through the legislative process.
“The measure is not a solution”
In Direct Impactanalysts pointed out that the proposal opens a discussion among those who consider it necessary give more room to taxpayers and those who see the initiative as a political action without substantive effects.
During the program it was stated that “The measure is not a solution, it is only a populist measure that delays”, in reference to the fact that the extension would not solve the underlying problems related to collection, public investment or the use of resources allocated to road infrastructure.
It was also warned that, although deferring a payment may represent immediate relief for taxpayers, “Postponing an expense for later is useful to anyone; It is bread for today and hunger for tomorrow”.
Current term and legislative process
Until now, the deadline to pay the Circulation Tax remains in force until July 31. For the date to change, the initiative must be known by the plenary session of Congress, sent to the committee, ruled on and then submitted to discussion and vote.
The program also recalled that Congress is in parliamentary recess and that the second ordinary period begins August 1therefore it was noted that the approval of the initiative before the current expiration would advance “against the clock.”
According to data from the SATuntil June 30, the 40.44% of vehicle owners had paid the tax, while the 59.56% was still pending. The fine for non-compliance is equivalent to 100% of the tax value, although a discount of the tax may be applied. 75% if the payment is made voluntarily.
Analysts also questioned whether the tax is linked to the maintenance of the road network, while complaints about the state of the roads persist. In the program it was indicated that “If we are going to pay the road tax, that there is road safety and that our money is applied to what we need”.
The discussion also included the impact of the poor state of the roads on people who do not have a vehicle, because it affects the public transportation, travel times and cost of the products that reach different communities.
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