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Invest · CONFOTUR savings · Tax law 158-01

The exemption worth six figures.

CONFOTUR-approved properties skip the 3% transfer tax at closing, then waive the annual property tax (IPI) and rental-income tax for up to 15 years. We add up all three on your numbers.

2026 statutory ratesFree · no signup
Presets
Total tax saved with CONFOTUR
$39,802
Over 15 years on a $285,000 rental property — money that stays in your pocket instead of going to the DGII.
Transfer tax saved$8,550one-time · at close
Property tax (IPI) saved$19,15915 yr · 1% band
Rental income tax saved$12,09315 yr · ISR waived
  • Transfer tax (one-time)21%$8,550
  • Property tax / IPI (15 yr)48%$19,159
  • Rental income tax (15 yr)30%$12,093
Without CONFOTUR

Standard property

$39,802
total tax paid over 15 yr
Transfer tax at close$8,550
IPI over 15 yr$19,159
Rental income tax$12,093
With CONFOTUR

Approved property

$0
all three exempt for 15 yr
Transfer tax at close$0
IPI over 15 yr$0
Rental income tax$0
Saved by year 5$15,532transfer + 5 yr of exemptions
Saved by year 10$25,60910 yr of exemptions
Saved by year 15$39,802full CONFOTUR window

Does your property qualify?

CONFOTUR eligibility
New tourism-zone developments
Projects in designated tourism poles — most of Samaná qualifies.
Project holds a CONFOTUR resolution
The developer applied and the project is approved by the CONFOTUR council.
Resale inside an approved project
The exemptions reach only the first buyer purchasing directly from the project — a resale buyer does not inherit them (Ley 158-01, Art. 4, Párrafo IV). Share-purchase structures are the exception; confirm with your attorney.
Standalone resale or raw land
A standard home outside an approved project won't carry the exemption.
CONFOTUR is the single biggest reason to buy new in a tourism zone.
Law 158-01 grants approved projects up to 15 years free of property-transfer tax, annual property tax (IPI), and income tax on rental earnings — the 15-year clock starts when the project's construction and equipping finish, and the exemptions reach only the first buyer purchasing directly from the project. Every Evalua report flags whether a listing sits inside a CONFOTUR-approved project, because it can swing the real return by tens of thousands of dollars.
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Questions people ask about this

What is CONFOTUR and how does it work?

CONFOTUR (Consejo de Fomento Turístico) is a Dominican government program under Law 158-01 that grants tax exemptions to qualifying tourism-related real estate developments. Properties with CONFOTUR certification are exempt from the 3% transfer tax at purchase, the annual IPI property tax, and income tax on rental revenue for up to 15 years, counted from the date the project's construction and equipping are completed — not from the resolution date.

How do I verify a property's CONFOTUR status?

Always verify independently: (1) Request the official CONFOTUR resolution number from the developer or seller, (2) Confirm when the project's construction and equipping were completed — the 15-year clock runs from that date, not the resolution date — and calculate the remaining exemption years, (3) Verify your specific unit type is covered in the resolution — some resolutions only cover certain phases or unit types, (4) Have a local attorney (abogado) verify the resolution status directly with the CONFOTUR office.

Does CONFOTUR transfer when I resell the property?

No. Ley 158-01 (Art. 4, Párrafo IV) grants the exemptions to whoever invests directly with the promoter or developer, and expressly excludes any later transfer in favour of third-party acquirers — in practice DGII applies them only to that first buyer. A resale buyer therefore does not inherit the remaining years, and the 3% transfer-tax exemption does not cover the resale transaction itself. A seller cannot guarantee otherwise. Where the unit is held by a company (SRL), buyers sometimes acquire the company's shares instead — the property never changes hands, so the exemption stays with the SRL. Confirm any such structure with your own Dominican attorney before relying on it.

What happens when the CONFOTUR exemption expires?

Once the exemption period ends, you become subject to all standard DR property taxes: the annual IPI property tax (1% on assessed value above ~$182,000 USD), Dominican income tax on rental revenue (individuals: progressive up to 25% on net rental; companies (SRL/EIRL): 27% flat on net), and the 27% capital gains tax on any future sale. Plan your investment model accounting for these costs after expiration. Use the Tax Entity toggle above to see savings under each structure.

Is rental income really tax-free under CONFOTUR?

Yes, during the active CONFOTUR exemption period, rental income generated by the certified property is exempt from income tax (ISR), regardless of whether you own as an individual or through a Dominican company (SRL/EIRL). Without CONFOTUR, individuals pay progressive ISR (up to 25% on net rental, with an annual exemption around RD$416,000 / ~$6,700 USD); SRL/EIRL companies pay 27% flat on net rental. Non-resident individuals receiving gross rental payments may face a separate 27% withholding regime if they have not elected resident treatment. Either way, maintain proper records and file declarations during the exemption period.

What's the difference between CONFOTUR and Law 171-07?

CONFOTUR (Law 158-01) is a project-level certification, but its exemptions reach only the first buyer purchasing directly from the developer — they do not pass to later owners (Ley 158-01, Art. 4, Párrafo IV). Law 171-07 is an investor-level benefit: it grants expedited residency and a 50% reduction on property and capital gains taxes to individuals investing $200,000+ in Dominican real estate. They are separate programs and can sometimes be combined.

Do I still need to file taxes during the CONFOTUR period?

Yes. Even with CONFOTUR exemptions, you should file tax declarations with the DGII (Dominican tax authority) and reference your CONFOTUR resolution number. The exemption reduces your liability to zero, but the filing obligation remains. A local accountant familiar with CONFOTUR can ensure compliance and protect your exemption status.