Atlas Network partner Fundación para la Libertad Económica worked alongside members of the Honduran congress for over one year to advocate for tax reform. In May of 2020, the Honduran Congress signed law 25-1963, which will provide Hondurans 65 and older with an income tax exemption of up to US $14,000.
While this benefit has existed in Honduras since 2002, the Finance Secretary and Tax Administration had blocked its availability to the public by placing an extra regulatory burden on citizens age 65 and older which rendered the benefit useless. Since the Finance Secretary and Tax Administration systematically introduced barriers such as the need for administrative authorization and an annual renewal which takes over six months to complete, government fees that amount in over $1,000, and arbitrary deadlines in 2018; many Honduran citizens age 65 and older were denied this benefit.
Fundación para la Libertad Económica worked alongside Congressman Luis Redondo and Congressman Walter Romero to reverse the bureaucratic burden implemented by the Finance Secretary and Tax Administration. With the help of these lawmakers, Fundación para la Libertad Económica was able to remove administrative and monetary burdens for seniors.
Since Fundación para la Libertad Económica successfully advocated for reform, Honduran citizens aged 65 and older now enjoy their income tax exemption automatically without having to pay the $1,000 fee.
Atlas Network supported this project with a grant.