CONFOTUR
Tax Exemptions in the
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

The combined value of CONFOTUR tax exemptions over a 15-year holding period is substantial. Consider a $500,000 CONFOTUR property: transfer tax savings of $15,000 (3% at purchase), annual IPI savings of approximately $3,300 per year for 15 years ($49,500 total, based on value above the exemption threshold), and capital gains tax savings of 27% of appreciation upon sale. If the property appreciates 100% over 15 years to $1,000,000, the capital gains tax savings would be $135,000. Total CONFOTUR tax savings over 15 years: approximately $199,500 on a $500,000 investment, or nearly 40% of the original purchase price.

The 15-year exemption period begins from the date of the CONFOTUR Resolution issued to the developer, NOT from the date of your individual purchase. If a development received its CONFOTUR Resolution in 2020 and you purchase a unit in 2026, you have 9 years of remaining benefits, not 15. This distinction is critical when evaluating CONFOTUR properties on the resale market or in projects that obtained certification several years before completing construction. Your attorney should confirm the exact CONFOTUR Resolution date and calculate remaining benefit years before you commit to purchase.

Law 158-01 was enacted on October 9, 2001, and has been a cornerstone of Dominican Republic tourism development policy for over two decades. The law has been renewed and strengthened through subsequent amendments, most recently with modifications that expanded eligible zones and adjusted investment thresholds. Both major Dominican political parties have maintained and supported the CONFOTUR program across multiple administrations, reflecting broad consensus on its importance for tourism-driven economic development. This bipartisan support and 20+ year track record provides confidence in the program's long-term stability.

CONFOTUR benefits are tied to the property, not to the owner's nationality or residency status. Whether you are a Dominican citizen, a US investor, a Canadian retiree, or a European buyer, you receive the same CONFOTUR tax exemptions. There are no additional requirements based on nationality, no minimum stay requirements, and no restrictions on renting or using the property. This universal application regardless of investor origin is a key differentiator from tax incentive programs in other Caribbean jurisdictions that may restrict benefits to certain investor categories or nationalities.

While CONFOTUR provides the most comprehensive tax exemption package, the Dominican Republic offers other investment incentive programs for specific sectors. Free Trade Zone (Law 8-90) benefits apply to manufacturing and services in designated zones. Renewable Energy (Law 57-07) provides tax incentives for solar and wind energy installations. Border Development (Law 28-01) offers incentives for investments in provinces bordering Haiti. These programs can sometimes be combined with CONFOTUR for projects that qualify under multiple categories, though this requires careful structuring and specialized legal counsel.

CONFOTUR also benefits developers through import duty exemptions on construction materials, equipment, and furnishings. While these are developer-level benefits, they indirectly benefit buyers by reducing the developer's construction costs, which can translate to lower sale prices or higher build quality. Additionally, developers receive income tax credits on their CONFOTUR-certified investment. These developer incentives are a major reason why the vast majority of new tourism-zone developments pursue CONFOTUR certification, creating a wide inventory of certified properties available to individual investors.