In Guatemala, the tax on inheritances, legacies, and donations was in effect for decades under Decree 431 of the Congress of the Republic, a regulation dating back to 1947 that taxed the gratuitous transfer of assets upon death...
Buying property in Guatemala is one of the most important financial decisions a person can make. However, many people make serious mistakes due to a lack of knowledge about fundamental legal aspects of the Guatemalan registry system. In practice, it is common to find…
What is a building permit? A building permit is an administrative authorization issued by the corresponding municipality that legally allows a construction project to be carried out on a specific property. It is not an optional or merely formal procedure.
In Guatemala, from a legal standpoint, there is no corporate entity formally known as a “patrimonial society.” The Commercial Code neither recognizes nor regulates a specific type of company created exclusively for the administration of family assets or...
Corporate governance in Guatemala is one of the most important elements for a company to operate with order, transparency, and control. Even so, most companies in Guatemala operate without clear internal rules, without corporate policies, and without...
What is amparo? Amparo is a constitutional protection mechanism whose purpose is to defend the rights and guarantees recognized by the Political Constitution of the Republic of Guatemala against any act, resolution, or omission by an authority...
What is severance pay? In Guatemala, the term “liquidación” is commonly used to refer to the payment a worker receives upon termination of their employment relationship. However, from a legal standpoint, this concept is often confused with...
What is the aguinaldo? The aguinaldo is a mandatory employment benefit that consists of an additional payment to the ordinary salary that every employer must grant to their workers each year. Its purpose is to provide an economic benefit prior to the...
What is horizontal property? Horizontal property is a legal regime that allows a building or real estate complex to be divided into private and independent properties, while also establishing common goods and areas for shared use among all...
Introduction For any individual or legal entity, national or foreign, wishing to become a supplier or contractor for the Guatemalan State, registration in the General Registry of State Acquisitions (RGAE) is a mandatory step. This process allows participation in…
