The Treasury Department of Puerto Rico has issued guidance (Circular Letter (CL) 18-03) for the electronic filing (e-filing) of corporate income tax returns for tax year 2017.

Procedure for electronically file required evidence with the corporation form: Taxpayers who electronically file their tax return for tax year 2017 and whose electronic confirmation sheet issued by the certificate program of their selection indicates that their return requires evidence to be submitted, they must access the electronic forms system to electronically file all the required evidences. The E-forms system is available at www.hacienda.pr.gov, under the link of the virtual treasury, in the corporations section located in the payroll area. To access the E-forms system, the taxpayer or specialist must use the username and password used to access the virtual collection. Once in the system, click on the submit evidence link and follow the steps indicated in part II-A-1 of this circular letter to electronically file the required evidences. CL18-03 provides step-by-step instructions for filing the evidence.

Automatic extension: Those taxpayers who cannot file the corporation return for the tax year 2017 to the deadline prescribed by the code to file it, can request an automatic extension to file the return by filing Form model SC 2644.

Corporation returns with balance of contribution pending payment: Taxpayers owing a balance on the corporate income tax return should make the payment by no later than the date established in the PR Code. At the time of electronic filing using a checking or savings account with sufficient funds. The balance also may be paid in person in cash, debit card, credit card or check or money order in the name of the Secretary of the Treasury.

Amended returns: Those taxpayers who file their corporation return (“Original Return”) and wish to amend said return, the amended corporation return (“Amended Return”) may be filed electronically, regardless of whether the original return has been filed electronically or in paper.

Restrictions on electronic filing: For the taxable year 2017, the Department has established the following situations in which the corporation form can only be filed on paper under one of the forms indicated in Part II-H of this circular letter:

• foreign corporation not dedicated to industry or business in Puerto Rico that only reports a sale of real property located in Puerto Rico;
• foreign corporation not dedicated to industry or business in Puerto Rico with income related to industry or business in Puerto Rico (Schedule U);
• corporation in liquidation prior to termination of taxable year;
• corporation spreadsheets with schedules Q and Q1.

Paper file of the corporation form: Those taxpayers filing their tax return for 2017 on paper, can obtain the form, along with their respective instructions, on the Department’s website at www.hacienda.pr.gov, under the forms, forms and taxes area.