In Peru, a recibo por honorarios is an important legal document that freelancers and independent contractors use to declare income for services rendered. Many times, you are expected to present this receipt as you would an invoice when dealing with the Peruvian Tax Authority (SUNAT). For people offering professional services, it helps you comply with the law.
Many professionals, from graphic designers to lawyers and consultants, rely on the recibo por honorarios to operate independently. Individuals can pay their employees and the tax office, in a legal way without needing to be on a company payroll. The receipt should be issued correctly, no matter how much or how often you work.
Key Points:
- It must be obtained by self-employed people in Peru.
- SUNAT ensures that these receipts are given and tracked properly.
- Annually, you have to include this income in your tax return.
What Is The Purpose Of A Recibo Por Honorarios?
The main goal of a recibo por honorarios is to formalize income earned from professional services that are not part of a labor contract. Unlike employees, who get a paycheck each month, freelancers themselves are required to give themselves a receipt to recognize payments for what they do.
For example, if a freelance software developer finishes a project for a client and receives S/2000, they must issue a recibo por honorarios for that amount. It works as documentation for the freelancer and the client. It makes the process of tax filing more open and understandable.
If SUNAT notices professionals are not following its system, they might be given penalties. So, grasping the main role of tax is very important. It often includes the total charge, the client’s unique tax number (RUC), the descriptions of the services and when they were carried out.
Reminder: Always include complete service details and correct identification numbers when filling your recibo por honorarios.
Who Needs To Issue A Recibo Por Honorarios?
Anyone in Peru who provides professional services without being an employee must hand out this receipt. Among these professionals are accountants, doctors, designers, and consultants. If your income is generated through service and not employment, the tax law expects you to use a recibo por honorarios.
Suppose you are a freelance translator dealing with several clients. Every time a project ends, you have to produce a receipt to document your income. If your annual income surpasses a certain limit (36,312 soles), you may have to pay Impuesto a la Renta (income tax).
If your total income falls below the tax threshold, you still need to report to SUNAT and send these invoices digitally. Company compliance requires following Peruvian rules.
Because most professionals must use electronic receipts, double-check that your SUNAT account is active and updated.
How Do You Issue A Recibo Por Honorarios?
Issuing a recibo por honorarios is now done online through SUNAT’s platform. After signing in, you have to insert the RUC, exactly what service was offered, the price paid, and the date of service. When you finish, SUNAT sends you a digital copy to send on to the client.
Here’s a contrast between issuing documents manually and using an electronic system.
| Feature | Manual Receipts | Electronic Receipts |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Paper-based | Online via SUNAT |
| Requirement | Rarely accepted | Mandatory for most users |
| Accessibility | Limited | Anywhere with internet |
| Processing Time | Slower | Instant |
Check every entry twice before you decide to send it. If the data is incorrect, you might have to pay fines or deal with invalid documents. You may issue a receipt whenever you like, but it should show the date when the service was delivered.
What Taxes Apply To A Recibo Por Honorarios?
Income earned via recibo por honorarios may be subject to various taxes. People most often pay the Impuesto a la Renta de Cuarta Categoría (Fourth Category Income Tax). If the monthly income you get is over a certain threshold, a 8% withholding tax will be charged.
Taxes can be contrasted quickly in the following way:
| Income Bracket (Monthly) | Withholding Applied | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Up to S/3,026 | No | 0% |
| Above S/3,026 | Yes | 8% |
Each year, you have to submit your income to SUNAT even if your employment tax has already been withheld. You can file for a refund if you discover you paid more taxes than needed. Similarly, if you did not pay the right amount, SUNAT could apply penalties.
What Happens If You Don’t Use A Recibo Por Honorarios?
Not following the system may result in getting into financial trouble and facing legal issues. SUNAT can check your transactions, especially if clients file a report for money they sent to you. If you have different records from the income tax office or are missing some receipts, you might have to pay penalties or set up a repayment schedule with the tax office.
Not complying with receipt laws can limit your potential business partnerships. A lot of companies will not hire professionals who lack proper documentation. It may also impact your efforts to apply for things like credit or health insurance which usually ask for income documentation.
For an example, consider the following case. If they do not report their S/50,000 in earnings, a graphic designer could be required to have an audit and face serious consequences. Difficulties in the legal system and a loss of business reputation are often the outcomes.
Conclusion
Understanding and using a recibo por honorarios is a must for independent professionals in Peru. Tax compliance is promoted, faith in the business is maintained and income reporting is made possible. A client invoice helps you stay on track financially, so it is necessary, whether you are a beginner or an expert.
Be sure to record all the receipts that you get. It assists when tax forms are completed and during audits.
FAQ’s
1. Do I need a recibo por honorarios if I earn less than the tax threshold?
To be compliant and have a record of your finances, you do still have to get a credit card.
2. Can I issue a recibo por honorarios to international clients?
You do need to declare your income to SUNAT and use the standard conversion rates for currency when filing.
3. If there are issues with the receipt, how do I get it fixed?
It is possible to cancel the incorrect receipt through SUNAT and print a new one properly.
4. Can I issue more than a certain number of receipts?
But each bill has to be labeled with a service provided and reported as needed.
5. Do I need to register somewhere before issuing a recibo por honorarios?
Yes, you need to register with SUNAT as an independent worker and turn on your online issuing profile.
