TAX ON THE TRANSFER OF MOTOR VEHICLES The transfer of motor vehicles is subject to a onetime tax of 2% over the value that is greater from the one stated in the purchase contract and the value assigned by the DGII.
SPECIAL INCENTIVES FOR FOREIGN RETIREES AND THOSE LIVING ON A PENSION Dominican law provides those who are retirees as well as certain of those who live off a pension or a fixed income with broader benefits and exemptions from those granted to foreign investors and citizens resid- ing abroad. The law allows such individuals to obtain a residence in 45 days; exempts them from the pay- ment of taxes on furniture and personal goods; and partially exempts them from the payment of taxes on motor vehicles. In order to benefit from this law, a foreign individual must receive a monthly income of US$1,500.00 in the case of retirees, and US$2,000.00 in the case of passive investors receiving steady in- come for a minimum of 5 years. There are additional benefits accorded to those individuals, from an exemption on taxes of certain real estate transfers to an exemption of 50% of capital gains taxes.
LABOR LAWS The relationship of companies with their employees is regulated by the Dominican Labor Code.
QUOTAS FOR DOMINICAN EMPLOYEES At least 80% of the workers in a company must be Dominican citizens unless qualified individuals from the lo- cal market cannot fulfill this quota. Managers and other employees with supervisory functions preferably must be Dominicans, although there are no legal restrictions at the management level.
WORK PERIODS The normal working week is 44 hours; a normal working day is 8 hours. The common practice is to work from Monday to Friday and, in some companies, until midday Saturday. Part time workers cannot work more than 29 hours per week.