Panama Prosecutor’s Office Analyzes ‘WhatsApp’ Messages to Track Participants Involved in the DGI Fraud Network
Operation Pandora successfully dismantled a criminal network operating within Panama’s DGI (General Directorate of Taxation). The Specialized Prosecutor’s Office against Organized Crime is carrying out a series of investigations using WhatsApp messages to locate other people linked to the criminal network that operated within the DGI. The investigation began following a complaint about irregularities in the processing of tax credits.
The DGI in Panama stands for the Dirección General de Ingresos (General Directorate of Revenue). It is the government agency under the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) responsible for the administration, collection, and enforcement of national taxes, such as income tax and property tax. Managing your obligations with the DGI is essential for doing business or residing in the country. Here are the most relevant aspects of the institution:
- Tax System: Panama operates on a territorial tax system, meaning the DGI generally only taxes income generated within Panamanian territory, regardless of your citizenship or where your payments are received.
- e-Tax 2.0: The DGI handles tax declarations, payments, and compliance checks through their digital portal, known as e-Tax 2.0.
- Mobile App: For convenient access, the DGI offers a dedicated mobile app (DGI-Panamá) for both Google Play and iOS, which allows taxpayers to download certificates, request extensions, and make online payments.
