Browse Honduras Daily Stories

Dante Mossi, former president of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration, criticized a proposed reform excluding bonuses from income-tax calculations, warning it could enable employers to reclassify wages as tax-free bonuses and erode government revenue.

Finance Minister Emilio Hernández and Central Bank President Roberto Lagos signed a letter of intent to the IMF ahead of the June 29 board review, with officials saying approval could unlock about $240 million in fresh funds and help stabilize the economy.

Honduras's state power utility ENEE requires L35.4 billion (roughly $1.4 billion USD) in domestic debt from 2026 to 2029 to cover payments to private generators, amid losses exceeding 34% and a total debt burden now at L73.3 billion.

Former Central American Bank president Dante Mossi cautioned that a proposed reform to exclude bonuses from income tax (ISR) calculations would create tax-evasion opportunities and reduce government revenue, reversing two decades of IMF-backed reforms.

Honduras's fuel subsidy has already cost 860 million lempiras (about $34.5 million) against a budgeted 680 million, with full-year costs projected at 1.2–1.3 billion lempiras, prompting the Finance Ministry to plan internal budget adjustments and consider narrowing the subsidy to lower-income households.

Finance Minister Emilio Hércules announced that Honduras will meet with the IMF's executive board on June 29, and said he hopes the board will issue a favorable communiqué for the country.

Congress is considering a reform to exclude performance bonuses, gratuities, and overtime pay from income-tax calculations, a move an economist says would reward worker effort but warns could enable tax evasion without proper state oversight.

From January through April 2026, the Honduran government received $156.3 million in international disbursements, directing $145.3 million to budget support and $11 million to agriculture, energy, and education projects.

Honduras's public-sector debt reached $9.35 billion by April 2026, up $50 million from December 2025, with the central government accounting for the largest share.

Honduras's public external debt reached $10.75 billion as of April 2026, with 81.2% denominated in US dollars, 14.8% in IMF special drawing rights, and smaller portions in euros, yen, and other currencies.

Honduras is servicing over $3.3 billion in foreign loans for 66 active projects, 76% of which have failed to reach 50% execution by end of 2025, including 19 that have not begun, forcing taxpayers to cover interest and fees on work generating no public benefit.

COHEP's May 2026 economic bulletin shows 4% accumulated GDP-activity growth through March, 3.12% inflation (transport up 10.55%), a pending $245 million IMF disbursement expected in late June, and government floating debt exceeding L 24.6 billion (about $985 million), or 2.4% of GDP.

Under Decree 07-2026, Honduras's tax authority (SAR) is waiving penalties, interest, and surcharges for taxpayers who regularize obligations that were due through December 31, 2025, with the amnesty window open until June 15, 2026.