Honduras
Honduras offers a dynamic business environment with opportunities in agriculture, export manufacturing, infrastructure, and tourism. The country actively encourages both domestic and foreign investment, supported by various legal structures.
Find up-to-date payroll, tax, social security, & employment law information for Honduras. Navigate business opportunities in this Central American nation.
1. Introduction to Honduras
2. Setting Up a Business
3. Employment Practices
4. Taxation & Social Security
5. Payroll Operations
6. Hiring & Termination
7. Compensation & Benefits
8. Visas & Work Permits
9. Location-Specific Considerations
1. Introduction to Honduras
Doing Business in Honduras
Honduras has diverse investment sectors, including strong opportunities in agriculture, export manufacturing, infrastructure, and tourism. The country encourages both domestic and foreign investors, supported by various legal structures.
Basic Facts about Honduras
Full Name: | Republic of Honduras |
Population: | 9.904 million (2020) |
Capital: | Tegucigalpa |
Major Language(s): | Spanish |
Major Religion(s): | Christianity |
Monetary Unit: | Lempira hondureño |
Main Exports: | Coffee, shrimp, bananas, melon, lobsters, pineapple |
Internet Domain: | .hn |
International Dialing Code: | +504 |
Common Phrases (Honduras – Spanish)
Hello: Hola
Good Morning: Buenos días
Good Evening: Buenas noches
Do you speak English?: ¿Habla inglés?
Goodbye: Adiós
Thank you: Gracias
See you later: Hasta luego
2. Setting Up a Business
Registrations and Establishing an Entity
- Incorporation via Public Deed by a notary, stating name, activity, domicile, capital
- Requires partner documents, solvency certificates, RTN registration
- Commercial Registry filing is mandatory
- Process duration: approx. 2 business days
Banking
- An in-country bank account is mandatory to operate a business or process payroll
3. Employment Practices
Working Week
- Max 44 hours/week
- Standard: 8 hours/day; overtime not to exceed 12 hours/week
Holiday Accrual
- 1 year: 10 days
- 2 years: 12 days
- 3 years: 15 days
- 4+ years: 20 days
Maternity Leave
- 4 weeks before + 6 weeks after childbirth (10 weeks total)
- Full pay based on prior year average or full employment period if shorter
- Job protection and rights retention guaranteed
Paternity Leave
- No statutory entitlement
Sick Leave
- 3–6 months service: 1 month at 50% pay
- 6–9 months: 2 months at 50%
- 9+ months: 3 months at 50%
- 5+ years: 30 days/year at full pay
National Service
- Not mandatory
4. Taxation & Social Security
Tax Year
January 1 – December 31
Income Tax
- 0–209,369.62 HNL: 0%
- 209,369.63–319,251.54 HNL: 15%
- 319,251.55–742,445.49 HNL: 20%
- 742,445.50+ HNL: 25%
- Corporate tax: 25%
Social Security Contributions Employee:
- RAP: 1.5%
- IHSS: 2.5%
- Welfare Insurance: 2.5%
Employer:
- RAP: 1.5%
- IHSS: 5%
- Labor Coverage Insurance: 4%
- INFOP: 1%
- Welfare Insurance: 3.5%
Reporting
- Contributions due within 10 days of month-end
5. Payroll Operations
Payroll
- Monthly wages paid in legal tender at the workplace
- Barter permitted for rural workers up to 30% of pay
- Online payslips allowed if secure
- 13th salary paid in December, 14th in June
Reports
- Must be retained for 7 years
6. Hiring & Termination
New Employees
- Register with IHSS, apply for IHSS card
- Provide contribution form, pay fees, validate employee
Leavers
- Notice and final payment required
- Severance based on tenure:
- 3–6 months: 10 days
- 6–12 months: 20 days
- 1+ year: 1 month/year (max 8 months)
7. Compensation & Benefits
Employee Benefits
- Christmas (13th) and June (14th) bonuses
- Unused vacation and proportional bonuses paid at exit
Expenses
- Executives may negotiate additional benefits
8. Visas & Work Permits
Foreign Workers
- Must meet 90% local staff and 85% wage share rule
- Residence permit required for >3-month contracts
- Valid up to 5 years
Required:
- Passport, medical and criminal records
- Authenticated work contract
- Employer declarations and proof of solvency
- Official translations for all foreign documents
9. Location-Specific Considerations
- Legal documents must be notarized and often officially translated
- Taxpayer RTN and municipal solvency required
- Barter permissible for agricultural labor compensation
Further Information For more information, or assistance with Honduras tax enquiries please contact: gi@activpayroll.com
About This Payroll and Tax Overview Please note that this document gives general guidance only and should not be regarded as an authoritative or complete statement of the law, regulations or tax position in any country. You should always seek specific advice for each specific situation. This document should not be relied upon as professional advice and activpayroll accepts no liability for reliance on its contents.
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