The Regional Fiscal Lottery is May 15th:  That’s the Last Day to Deposit Your Envelopes

With less than a week until the deadline, taxpayers have until May 15th to deposit their envelopes and participate in the Regional Tax Lottery, which will award prizes of up to $10,000 in each of the four regions of the country.  The Regional Fiscal Lottery in Panama is a government incentive program managed by the General Directorate of Revenue (DGI) to boost tax compliance by encouraging consumers to request official, authorized invoices for purchases. As of 2026, the program has shifted to a regional model to ensure fair participation across the country, with prizes awarded through bimonthly drawings, typically awarding $110,000 per region.

How to Participate

1. Collect Invoices: Gather five valid fiscal invoices (facturas) issued by authorized tax equipment or electronic invoicing systems.
2. Prepare the Envelope: Place the five invoices into a white or manila envelope (sealed, no decoration).
3. Label the Envelope: Clearly write the following information on the outside:
   1. Full name
   1. National identification number (Cédula) or passport
   1. Physical address
   1. Email address
   1. Telephone number
4. Submit: Deposit the envelope in official mailboxes located in designated shopping centers and DGI offices nationwide.

Regional Structure (As of 2026)

To make participation more equitable, the country is divided into four main regions, each with its own draws:

• Region 1: Panama City.
• Region 2: Panama West, Colón, and Darién.
• Region 3: Bocas del Toro, Chiriquí, and Veraguas.
• Region 4: Herrera, Los Santos, and Coclé.

Prizes and Draws

• Draw Frequency: The lottery takes place bimonthly (every two months).
• Total Prize Money: $110,000 in prizes is distributed per region.
• Prize Tiers: Each region awards 25 prizes: five prizes of $10,000, ten prizes of $5,000, and ten prizes of $1,000.
• Tax Status: Prizes are exempt from income tax and are delivered via ACH bank transfer.

Important Rules

• Deadline: Envelopes must be deposited at least one week before the scheduled draw.
• Validity: Invoices must be valid fiscal receipts (with a QR code or from a fiscal machine) and issued within two months of the drawing date.
• Limit: One prize per person.
• Eligibility: Open to Panamanian citizens and legally residing foreigners.

The DGI uses this system to encourage formal purchasing habits and combat tax evasion, with the first 2026 drawing scheduled for late February.