Panama’s General Directorate of Revenue is enforcing a mandatory update to the national taxpayer database. All individuals and companies registered in the Taxpayer Single Registry must complete the process online by December 31, 2025, or face financial penalties.
The tax agency, known as the DGI, confirmed this final deadline after extending the original cutoff to facilitate an orderly transition. Officials formalized the new date in the Official Gazette (Panama) on August 21, 2025. Their goal is ensuring the accuracy and validity of foundational tax information for the entire system.
“The update of the RUC is necessary to guarantee the validity and truthfulness of tax data, in addition to avoiding sanctions,” [Translated from Spanish] the DGI stated in a public advisory.
By early December, official figures showed 325,627 taxpayers had successfully updated their records. That number represents only about 35 percent of all entities in the registry, leaving hundreds of thousands of both individuals and legal entities yet to comply.
Fines and Last Minute Support for Taxpayers
Penalties for missing the year-end deadline are clearly defined. Individuals face fines of up to $100 for non-compliance. The stakes are higher for corporations and other legal entities, which could be fined as much as $500.
The DGI insists the online process on its e-Tax 2.0 platform is quick. They have still provided special in-person assistance during the final days. Help desks operated at major shopping centers like Albrook Mall on December 30. The agency’s main offices will close at noon on the deadline day for the New Year holiday, making online action imperative.
A valid and active RUC number is fundamental for conducting formal business in Panama. It is required for opening bank accounts, securing government permits, and participating in official contracts. The registry serves as the primary identifier within the national tax system, similar to a Taxpayer Registry number in other countries.
Background of a Major Data Cleanup
This mandatory update follows a major enforcement action taken by the General Directorate of Revenue (Panama) last year. In September 2025, the agency suspended the RUC of 30,500 companies due to widespread data inconsistencies.
Nearly 9,000 of those entities lacked proper identification in the Public Registry. An additional 21,601 registrations contained duplicate numbers or contradictory information. That suspension immediately blocked affected companies from all e-Tax 2.0 functions, preventing them from issuing invoices or filing returns.
The current campaign aims to prevent a repeat of those similar widespread disruptions. Accurate data from the outset is crucial for the government’s broader digital tax administration project. Taxpayers can verify their RUC status directly on the e-Tax 2.0 portal.
DGI officials have published online tutorials and established a temporary support email and phone line for the update process. They view this final push as critical for the integrity of the entire revenue collection system. The combination of a firm deadline, clear penalties, and targeted support is their strategy for achieving full compliance as the new year begins.