Hold On To Your Receipts When Shopping In Puerto Rico

If you are shopping, having dinner, etc. in Puerto Rico, do not throw out your receipts, they can be worth money in Puerto Rico.  Starting in July 2011, Puerto Rico's Treasury Department is transforming receipts into lottery tickets, printing contest numbers on each receipt, and holding weekly drawings for cash prizes ranging from $100 to $1,000.  The government of Puerto Rico also plans to have a monthly drawing for a car.  Officials will hold a drawing each Tuesday and Saturday, and winners have up to 30 days to collect their prizes.


The idea behind this new program in Puerto Rico:  The government wants consumers to demand their receipts, to discourage businesses from not paying the 7 percent sales tax by making unrecorded cash sales.  Puerto Rico has a strong cash economy, where people keep few records, and do not pay all the taxes the government thinks it should collect.  The government of Puerto Rico wants to ensure Puerto Rico's many tiny markets, food stalls and other businesses collect the sales tax(IVU Spanish initials).


Although, Puerto Rico took in $1Billion in sales tax last year, authorities estimate that the government of Puerto Rico is only collecting about 52 percent of what it is owed under the law.  The Treasury Department hopes to collect $400 million in additional sales tax revenue in two years as a result of this program.


The businesses that refuse to use the government issued receipt machines will be fined $20,000.  Those caught withholding receipts from customers will receive a $100 fine.


Happy shopping in Puerto Rico, and don't forget to hold on to your receipts and collect your prizes!


Puerto Rico's Treasury Department:
www.hacienda.gobierno.pr