Accounting and taxes: the essentials for individuals and small businesses
RUC, e-invoicing, VAT, withholdings, RIMPE and income tax in Ecuador, plus basic financial statements. Explained simply, with official sources (SRI). For your specific case, consult an accountant.
guides published on this topic (in Spanish)
tools for your case
routes based on your goal
If you are self-employed or run a business in Ecuador, the basics are: having a RUC, issuing electronic receipts, knowing your tax regime (general or RIMPE) and meeting filing deadlines based on the ninth digit of your RUC. The SRI is the official source; rules change, so always check sri.gob.ec.
You can also see the chronological list at /category/contabilidad-e-impuestos/ or go back to the index of all guides.
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Accounting and taxes, organized by topic
20 articles published (in Spanish). Start with the block closest to your situation.
Complete guide: Tax guide for individuals and the self-employed in Ecuador. Start here if you want to understand the topic from start to finish.
Taxes in Ecuador (SRI)
- RUC in Ecuador: basics for the self-employed (SRI)
- E-invoicing in Ecuador: concepts for the self-employed
- What is VAT in Ecuador? The basics for your wallet (SRI)
- RIMPE in Ecuador: the basics (SRI)
- Withholding tax in Ecuador: the basics (SRI)
- Income tax in Ecuador: a conceptual guide for individuals
- Personal expenses and deductions in Ecuador: the general framework (SRI)
- Tax returns for the self-employed: what should you prepare?
- Credit notes: what are they and when are they issued?
Basic financial statements
- Basic bookkeeping for small businesses: what to keep and why
- Income statement: what is it and how do you read it?
- Balance sheet: what is it and how do you read it?
- Asset depreciation: what is it and how does it affect a business?
- Bank reconciliation: what is it and how do you do it?
- Cost vs. expense in accounting: what's the difference?
More tax and accounting guides
- General regime vs. RIMPE in Ecuador: what's the difference?
- Personal expense projection: what is it and how do you submit it to your employer?
- SRI tax calendar: when do you file based on the ninth digit of your RUC?
- Invoice vs. sales note in Ecuador: what's the difference?
- Currency Outflow Tax (ISD) in Ecuador: what is it and when might it apply?
Three steps to stay up to date with the SRI
Most tax problems come from forgotten deadlines or incorrectly issued receipts.
Get clear on your RUC and tax regime
Confirm with the SRI which regime you are in and what your obligations are.
Issue and keep receipts
E-invoices, withholdings and credit notes, organized by month.
File on time
Deadlines depend on the ninth digit of your RUC: add them to your payment calendar.
VAT, 13th/14th month pay, calendar and business numbers
All are free, with no sign-up. Results are for reference only: they depend on the country, the institution and current laws.
Reference and educational information. Banco.guru is only a guide: it is not a bank and does not sell financial products. Data, examples and results are for reference only and are not real; they depend on the country, the financial institution, taxes and current laws. Always confirm your case with an authorized financial institution before deciding.
Questions about accounting and taxes
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What is RIMPE?
When do I have to file?
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