SRI Lists Stores With Automatic IVA Refunds for Older Adults and Disabled Residents

Ecuador's tax authority has a practical update for older adults and people with disabilities: automatic IVA refund or exemption only works at authorized stores.

The benefit applies at the time of purchase for people over 65 or people with disabilities, but the shopper must provide a confirmation code to the cashier.

Authorized Stores Listed

The authorized chains listed include:

• Aki, Gran Aki, Super Aki, Megamaxi, Supermaxi, Titan, Jugueton and Super Saldos.
• La Bodega and Supermercados La Bodega.
• Coral Hipermercados.
• Supermercado Santa Maria, Mega Santa Maria, Santa Maria Express and Santi Tienda.
• Almacenes Tia.
• Supermercados del Portal.
• Farmacias Cruz Azul and Pharmacy's, from Grupo Difare.

The Code Is the Key

To use the automatic refund at checkout, the beneficiary needs a codigo de confirmacion.

The first request for that code must be made at an SRI office. The beneficiary can bring the form called Solicitud de registro del canal automatico para la devolucion del IVA, available through SRI en linea.

At the store, the shopper gives the confirmation code to the cashier so the automatic refund or exemption can be applied.

The code can be generated again when needed through the Devoluciones option and the recovery option for older adults or people with disabilities.

What This Means for Expats

If you qualify for Ecuador's IVA refund because of age or disability, the automatic option is more convenient than filing everything afterward, but it only works if the store is authorized and your code is ready.

Before shopping, confirm you have the code and that the store participates. Otherwise, you may need to use the regular refund process instead of getting the benefit at checkout.