Legislative background and status
On May 22, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a budget bill including a tax on money transfers sent abroad by individuals residing in the United States. The bill, known as “The Big and Beautiful Bill”, must still be considered and voted on by the Senate before coming into force.
Amount and terms of the tax
- The statutory rate is 5% on each money transfer sent abroad by non-US citizens.
- This tax would be payable by the sender, i.e. the person sending the money from the United States.
- It applies to all migrants, whether legal or illegal, including green card and work permit holders.
- American citizens are not concerned by this tax.
Impact on the Haitian diaspora
Remittances from Haitians in the diaspora represent a major economic challenge for Haiti. According to the Banque de la République d’Haïti (BRH), these transfers reached $3.63 billion on September 30, 2024, representing growth of 10.7% over the previous year. A 5% tax on these flows could therefore have significant consequences:
- A reduction in the amount or frequency of transfers, with senders facing a significant additional cost.
- A direct impact on beneficiary families in Haiti, who rely heavily on these funds for their subsistence.
- Additional pressure on the Haitian economy, already affected by GDP contraction and structural difficulties.
Expected consequences and possible reactions
- Experts anticipate that many migrants may seek to circumvent the tax, for example by using informal channels or cryptocurrencies, which would not be directly affected by current legislation.
- Money transfer providers, especially those serving undocumented customers, could face increased difficulties, particularly in verifying customers’ citizenship status.
- The measure is also intended to generate tax revenues to offset tax cuts planned elsewhere in the bill.
Tableau récapitulatif
| Élément | Détail |
|---|---|
| Taux de la taxe | 5 % sur chaque transfert d’argent à l’étranger |
| Personnes concernées | Migrants non citoyens américains (statut légal ou non) |
| Statut législatif | Adopté à la Chambre des représentants, en attente du vote au Sénat |
| Montant des transferts vers Haïti (2024) | 3,63 milliards de dollars US |
| Impact potentiel | Réduction des transferts, recours à des canaux alternatifs, pression sur l’économie haïtienne |
Conclusion
La taxe sur les transferts d’argent à l’étranger, votée par la Chambre des représentants américaine, vise spécifiquement les migrants et pourrait affecter durement la diaspora haïtienne et leurs familles bénéficiaires. Si la loi est adoptée telle quelle par le Sénat, elle risque de réduire significativement les flux financiers vers Haïti et d’autres pays dépendants de la diaspora, tout en incitant à l’utilisation de moyens alternatifs pour contourner la nouvelle taxe.