What can Panama businesses claim as expenses?

Yes, fees for a contador público autorizado, lawyer or other adviser are generally business costs when they relate to the company's trading.

Partially. Panama taxes only Panama-source income, so costs that relate only to exempt foreign-source income need separate treatment. Split shared costs and confirm the split with a CPA.

Yes. The employer share of CSS contributions, Educational Insurance and the Professional Risk premium are payroll costs of the business.

Yes. The mandatory 13th-month payment is a statutory payroll cost, paid in three equal instalments each year.

No. Dividends are a distribution of profit to shareholders and not a business expense. Withholding of 10% or 5% applies depending on the source of the profit.

No. Late-filing fines, the tasa única late penalty and similar charges are not business running costs. Book them separately and do not treat them as deductible without advice.

Partially. A genuine business share of home costs may be claimable, but Finn's Panama rules set no home-office allowance, so keep records and confirm the treatment with a CPA.

Partially. ITBMS paid on purchases used to generate exports can be refunded. For other purchases, the treatment depends on the invoice and the return, so confirm it before relying on it.

Yes. Business software, cloud tools and online subscriptions are ordinary running costs when used to run the company.

Yes. Salaries paid to employees are a normal cost of running a Panamanian business, and the related CSS contributions and the décimo tercer mes belong in the same payroll cost.