CRIM to grant tax breaks only for power generators in residences, senior centers

Jesús Colón Berlingeri, chairman of the Municipal Revenue Collections Center governing board (Social media)

By THE STAR STAFF

The Municipal Revenue Collections Center (CRIM by its acronym in Spanish) governing board has approved a resolution to grant tax exemptions solely for residential electrical generators and those used in senior care centers.

Commercial and industrial power plants will continue to be taxed as personal property, as they are at present.

The decision comes in response to a proposal from Sen. Joanne Rodríguez Veve, that suggests amending the Municipal Code to provide exemptions for anyone who owns power generation equipment. CRIM reiterated its stance that while solar panels are currently exempt from taxes, high-capacity generators, including those for residential use, are still subject to taxation.

“Our position on this proposal is that, given the current instability of the electrical system, a full exemption should be granted for generators used exclusively for residential purposes,” stated Jesús Colón Berlingeri, chairman of the CRIM board. “Additionally, elderly care centers should be eligible for this exemption due to the type of care they provide.”

CRIM also expressed its opposition to Bill of Lading 846 or any measures that would extend the provisions of Law 60 of 2019 (section 6060.5), which grants exemptions for newly constructed homes until 2030.

“The financial difficulties faced by municipalities do not allow for the continuation of such exemptions, particularly since the new homes that would benefit from these exemptions are high-cost properties exceeding the limit set by the Municipal Code, which allows for exemptions on homes with a tax value of up to $15,000 that serve as primary residences,” said Colón Berlingeri, who is also the mayor of Orocovis.