Omar Fernández calls for income tax relief for salaries under RD$52,000

In a compelling appeal to the Dominican government, Senator Omar Fernández, representing the National District, has called for an urgent revision of the income tax exemption threshold. On Wednesday, Fernández emphasized the need to raise the tax-free salary limit to RD$52,000, aligning with the Dominican Tax Code. His plea comes in response to the 2026 General State Budget proposal, which maintains the current threshold of RD$34,685—unchanged for six consecutive years despite rising inflation. Fernández criticized this stagnation, warning that it severely impacts over 300,000 workers, eroding their purchasing power. He highlighted that the failure to adjust the threshold results in a monthly loss of RD$17,244 for low- and middle-income earners. ‘This is money being directly taken from the pockets of Dominicans who need it most,’ he asserted in a social media video. The senator further underscored the economic strain by pointing out that the average cost of a basic food basket has surged to RD$46,716. He argued that maintaining the outdated tax threshold effectively deprives workers of a year’s worth of essential goods. Fernández urged the Executive Branch to adhere to the law and revise the exempt salary scale to reflect accumulated inflation. ‘My request is straightforward,’ he concluded. ‘The government must follow the law and provide Dominican families with much-needed economic relief.’