Telefónica del Perú has initiated an Ordinary Bankruptcy Procedure (OBP) before the INDECOPI (Instituto Nacional de Defensa de la Competencia y de la Protección de la Propiedad Intelectual – National Institute for the Defense of Competition and the Protection of Intellectual Property), which resulted in the temporary suspension of its tax debt with the SUNAT (Superintendencia Nacional de Aduanas y Administración Tributaria – National Superintendency of Customs and Tax Administration).
Background
The debt arose from discrepancies in the income tax payment for the fiscal years 2000 and 2001. After more than two decades of litigation, in January 2023, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the SUNAT, establishing a debt equivalent to more than S/3 billion.
Payments Made and Disputes
Between 2023 and 2024, Telefónica del Perú paid more than S/1.6 billion, according to the ruling. Conversely, a recent court ruling ordered the return of S/347 million to the company, along with the interest generated, due to irregularities in the execution of the letters of guarantee.
Ordinary Bankruptcy Proceedings and Debt Suspension
OBPs allow Telefónica del Perú to restructure its financial obligations and temporarily suspend the tax debt collection while proceeding. The company expects that the SUNAT and the other creditors will recognize that restructuring is the best way to continue operating and providing services to its more than 13 million customers.
Impact on the Sector and Call to Action
The Telefónica del Perú situation highlights the importance of solid and transparent financial management in the telecommunications sector. Companies and authorities must work jointly to find solutions that benefit both taxpayers and the State. Industry players must closely follow this process and actively participate in the search for mechanisms that enhance financial stability and service quality in the country.
For further information and updates on this case, see the official SUNAT and Indecopi websites.
Source: Infobae