View source for RUC & RISE

{{Infobox
| title  = 🧾 RUC & RISE — Tax Registration
| label1 = RUC
| data1  = Registro Único de Contribuyentes
| label2 = RISE
| data2  = Régimen Impositivo Simplificado
| label3 = Administering Body
| data3  = SRI (Servicio de Rentas Internas)
| label4 = Who Needs RUC
| data4  = Businesses, professionals, freelancers
| label5 = Who Qualifies for RISE
| data5  = Small earners under $60,000/year
}}

ECUAWIKI › HOW-TO GUIDES › TAX REGISTRATION (RUC & RISE)

If you earn income in Ecuador — whether running a business, working as a freelancer, renting out property, or selling goods — you are required to register with Ecuador's tax authority, the [[SRI Ecuador|Servicio de Rentas Internas (SRI)]]. Most people register under either the '''RUC''' (standard tax registration) or the simpler '''RISE''' (simplified regime).

== What is the RUC? ==

The Registro Único de Contribuyentes (RUC) is Ecuador's standard taxpayer identification number for businesses and individuals who engage in economic activity. It is a 13-digit number (based on your cédula or passport number + "001").

You need a RUC if you:
* Run any business (tienda, restaurant, service company)
* Work as a freelancer or professional billing clients
* Rent property in Ecuador
* Import or export goods
* Are a corporation (S.A. or C.L.)

== What is the RISE? ==

The Régimen Impositivo Simplificado Ecuatoriano (RISE) is a simplified tax regime for small earners and micro-businesses. Instead of full VAT and income tax filings, you pay a fixed monthly contribution based on your annual income bracket.

RISE is available if:
* Annual income is under $60,000
* You do not employ more than 10 workers
* You are an individual (not a corporation)

Monthly RISE contributions (2024 approximate):
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Annual Income Bracket !! Monthly RISE Payment
|-
| Under $5,000 || $1.17
|-
| $5,001 – $10,000 || $3.38
|-
| $10,001 – $20,000 || $6.82
|-
| $20,001 – $30,000 || $10.77
|-
| $30,001 – $40,000 || $14.72
|-
| $40,001 – $60,000 || $20.70
|}

RISE is extremely popular with small vendors, artisans, taxi drivers, and anyone running a modest small business. It eliminates the need for detailed bookkeeping and monthly VAT declarations.

== How to Register ==

Both RUC and RISE registration is done at the nearest [[SRI Ecuador|SRI office]]. Bring:

* Original cédula or passport
* Proof of address (utility bill or lease)
* For businesses: proof of business address and type of activity

Registration is free and usually completed same-day at the SRI office. You can also initiate the process online at sri.gob.ec.

== RUC for Foreigners ==

Foreigners with legal residency (and therefore a cédula) can register for RUC under the same process as Ecuadorians. Foreigners on a tourist visa technically cannot legally work or earn income in Ecuador — see [[What you can and can't do on a tourist visa]].

== See Also ==
* [[SRI Ecuador]]
* [[Taxes]]
* [[Starting a Business Ecuador]]
* [[Working in Ecuador]]
* [[Tax Services]]
* [[Using your cédula]]
* [[Permanent Residency]]

[[Category:How-To Guides]]
[[Category:Legal & Administrative]]
[[Category:Taxes & Finance]]
[[Category:La Peninsula]]