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Types of tax obligations in Ecuador: What are they and deadlines for complying with them

Mobilvendor
9/6/25

In Ecuador, tax obligations constitute a fundamental aspect of citizen participation in the country's economic development. This tax system, guided by established regulations, imposes on taxpayers the responsibility of complying with their tax obligations to finance essential public services and government projects. From income taxes to value added (VAT), understanding and complying with these obligations is not only crucial for legal compliance, but also for actively contributing to the growth and well-being of Ecuadorian society. In this article, you will learn about the main tax obligations that currently exist in Ecuador. Automate your company's accounting in minutes with Mobilvendor. Get to know everything hereAccounting system accounting automationMobilVendor Accounting SystemContents hide 1 What are tax obligations? 2 Why is it important to comply with tax obligations? 3 Who must comply with tax obligations in Ecuador? 4 Main tax liabilities5 Classification of tax liabilities6 When do tax obligations cease to exist? What are tax obligations? Tax obligations in Ecuador refer to the duties of citizens and companies to contribute economically to the State by paying taxes. These taxes can cover various aspects, such as income, value added and other levies established by the country's tax regulations. The Internal Revenue Service SRI is responsible for regulating taxes in Ecuador. Understanding and adequate compliance with tax obligations are essential to strengthen citizen participation in collective progress and ensure a fair contribution to the maintenance of Ecuadorian society. Why is it important to comply with tax obligations? Meeting tax obligations is of paramount importance for several fundamental reasons. First, paying taxes is the main source of funding for essential public services, such as education, health and infrastructure, which directly benefit society. In addition, tax compliance in Ecuador contributes to maintaining a fiscal balance that allows the government to make investments and programs aimed at economic and social development. With this, the government has a budget to be able to carry out different projects focused on the most needy sectors in society. Who must comply with tax obligations in Ecuador? In Ecuador, all natural and legal persons who earn income or own taxed assets are required to comply with tax obligations. This includes citizens who generate income from work, professional, commercial or other activities, as well as companies operating in the country. Ecuadorian tax regulations establish different taxes, such as Income Tax, Value Added Tax (VAT), and others, which must be declared and paid in accordance with current legal provisions. Compliance with these obligations is not only a legal responsibility, but also a direct contribution to the financing of public services and to economic development of the country.Main tax liabilitiesIncome Tax (IR) :Taxes income generated by natural and legal persons resident in Ecuador, as well as by non-residents who earn income in the country. It includes aspects such as income from work, business activities, and others. Value Added Tax (VAT): Taxes added value at every stage of the production and marketing chain of goods and services. Taxpayers must collect sales tax and pay VAT on their purchases.Special Consumer Tax (ICE) :Applies to the production and consumption of goods considered special, such as tobacco, liquor, fuel and motor vehicles, taxed at an additional percentage of the sales price.Foreign Exchange Tax (ISD) :Taxes foreign exchange outflows from the country, affecting mainly international financial transactions and the acquisition of goods and services abroad.Urban Property Tax:Taxes the property of urban real estate, with municipalities being responsible for its collection. The rate is determined based on the cadastral appraisal. Motor Vehicle Property Tax: Taxes the property of motor vehicles, with rates that vary depending on the type and value of the vehicle. The proceeds go to municipalities. Special Contribution for Public Security:Taxes property ownership of real estate, allocating resources to finance projects and actions related to public security.Classification of Tax ObligationsRegulatory Entity Type of ObligationInternal Revenue Service Income Tax (IR) Value Added Tax (VAT) Special Consumption Tax (ICE) Foreign Exchange Tax (ISD) Income Tax for Non-Residents/Withholding at the sourceInheritance Tax, Legacies and Donations/Foreign Asset Tax, Foreign Exchange Exit Tax for Foreign Consumption, Municipalities, Urban Property Tax/Motor Vehicle Property Tax/Special Contribution for Public Security/Social Security, IESS and Ministries, Contributions to the IESS (Ecuadorian Institute of Social Security), Income Tax Withholding by Employers, Contributions to ministries, according to the nature of the economic activity.Superintendency of Companies, Company Registrations/Presentation of Financial States/Payment of the Annual Operation/ Compliance Rate with Regulations and Regulations of the Superintendency of Companies, Securities and Insurance. Types of tax obligations in EcuadorCompliance with each of these obligations is important and that is why there are accounting systems such as mobilvendor that can help us manage some of these obligations to improve accounting processes in our company. Tax obligations are part of the functions of accounting in a company. If you want to know more about these functions, we invite you to click here. When do tax obligations end? In Ecuador, tax obligations are considered extinct under different circumstances. Some of the common situations that may lead to the termination of these obligations include:Full Payment:When the taxpayer makes full payment of the corresponding taxes and tax obligations, these are considered extinct. Prescription: There is a statute of limitations for the Tax Administration's action to demand compliance with tax obligations. If the established time elapses without the inspection or collection having been carried out, the obligations can be considered extinct by prescription.Forgiveness or Remission: In exceptional situations, the State may fully or partially forgive or forgive tax obligations, leading to their extinction.Payment Agreement:When the taxpayer and the Tax Administration reach a payment agreement, and the agreed conditions are met, tax obligations can be considered extinct. The regulation of tax obligations and The circumstances in which these can be extinguished in Ecuador are mainly found in the Tax Code of Ecuador. We hope this content has been useful to you and we hope that Mobilvendor will become your #1 option for managing your company's accounting.