Costa Rican Accounting and Tax Requirements

Costa Rica presents an excellent opportunity for investment and relocation of your company. It has a booming tourism industry and is breaking records year-on-year with its astonishing performance in the clean energy sector.

As with all countries, it is necessary to know the fiscal requirements for all companies and investors in this Central American nation. This article provides a brief analysis of the different tax and accounting requirements in Costa Rica.

Table of Contents

Accounting requirements in Costa Rica: Types of companies

There are five types of companies in the country: Corporation (C), Limited Liability Company (LLC), Individual Limited Liability Company (ILLC), Collective Name Company (CNC), and Simple Limited Partnership (SC) however, most common are:

Corporation (C): is a company with its legal personality and limitation of liability of its shareholders. The share capital is divided into shares that can be transferred to third parties.
Limited Liability Company (LLC): a company whose partners have limited liability to the capital they contribute.

A tax-paying company is – A company that has been registered in the Single Tax Registry (RUT) in the Ministry of Finance and complies with monetary activities and it must pay, declare, and pay taxes.

*Accounting in Costa Rica and Company Tax Requirements*

What is the tax structure in Costa Rica?

All persons or legal entities must pay an annual tax as established in Law 9024 of the Tax on Legal Persons. The amount of this tax varies according to the type of commercial activity and company income according to the % of the base salary. The current base salary during 2023 is ₡ 462,200.

Non-contributing companies pay a rate of 15% of the base salary, around ₡ 69,330 (approx. USD 128). The same amount applies to companies registered in the RUT that do not declare income tax.

Accounting requirements in Costa Rica: Taxpaying companies

Companies that do not declare activity declare income at zero or less than 120 base salaries, approximately $102,800. They pay 25% of the base salary (approx. USD 214).

Companies with gross income between 120 and 280 base salaries pay 30% of the base salary (approx. USD 257).

Companies with gross income of more than 280 base salaries pay 50% of the base salary (approx. USD 428).

Newly created companies pay the same amount as “non-taxpayer” companies, the payment is made proportionally to the date of company formation and the rest of the year.

Income tax in Costa Rica

The generating event of the tax on profits is the perception or accrual of income in money or in kind, continuous or occasional, from lucrative activities of Costa Rican source, as well as any other income or benefit of Costa Rican source not exempted by law. Payment of this tax is made in 3 quarterly installments – in June, September, and December. The payment is made by taking an average of the last 3 fiscal periods.

This tax occurs in the tax year beginning on January 1 and ending on December 31 of each year. It is calculated based on gross income and the relevant percentages of your net income:

VAT in Costa Rica

It is an indirect tax that falls on consumption, which means that when a person (customer) purchases a good or service, they are paying this tax at a general rate of 13% or one of the reduced rates of 4%, 2%, 1% or 0.5%.

General sales tax

Any company that sells goods or provides regular services must pay this tax once a month. The tax rate is 13% for the provision of any service or good.

Companies accounting requirements in Costa Rica

Corporate Obligations:

Keep the accounting and legal books updated.
Make sure that all information regarding the company is up to date with the Ministry of Finance.
Complete the registry of transparency and final beneficiaries, which consists of a computer system developed by the Central Bank of Costa Rica, which allows legal entities to provide the information to register their participants.
Presentation of VAT tax declarations, this is presented monthly in the first 15 calendar days of the following month.
Presentation of income tax returns, this is presented during the first 15 calendar days of March.
Keep supporting documents for 5 years.

Employer obligations:

Tax withholding: If a worker’s salary exceeds ¢ 941,000 colones, the employer must withhold a percentage of the salary, submit the corresponding declaration to the Ministry of Finance, and pay the tax.
Employee Social Security: An employer must pay social security charges of 26.67% of employee wages and 10.67% on behalf of the worker. Both payments must be completed by the employer, who must withhold the relevant percentage of the worker’s salary. Payment is made monthly.

INS work risk policy: This policy is mandatory payment and aims to protect workers against work risks that they may suffer from the work carried out. The rate for calculating the policy ranges from 0.36% to 9.04% of the total wages reported at the end of the year.

Key Dates

Last working day of March (First installment of income tax)
Last working day of June (Second installment of income tax)
Last working day of September (Third installment of income tax)
15th December (Final day to present a declaration of income tax)
15th of each month (Sales tax)

WATCH OUT: The main problem that many small and medium companies face in Costa Rica is they often lack an ordered accounting system. According to data from the Public Accountancy College, only 20% of small and medium businesses last more than 3 years, and often these numbers are due to a lack of coordination and accounting support. It is also the major cause of tax evasion cases which costs the government upwards of ₡750 million per year.

*Accounting in Costa Rica –* *Costa Rica is a great country to invest, know the accounting requirements for companies in this country.*

Common Questions when understanding accounting and taxation in Costa Rica

Based on our extensive experience these are the common questions and doubts from our clients when looking to understand accounting and taxation in Costa Rica.

1. What is the corporate tax rate in Costa Rica?

Corporate Tax rate in Costa Rica is 30%.

2. How are businesses taxed in Costa Rica?

Businesses in Costa Rica are taxed according to the IFRS, which works on the basis of paying tax on the difference between revenue minus deductible expenses.

3. What is the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Called in Costa Rica?

The IRS in Costa Rica is called the Ministerio de Hacienda and it is responsible for implementing the fiscal and customs legislation in Costa Rica.

4. What is the accounting standard in Costa Rica?

Costarican accounting standards require companies to prepare their financial statements, accounting registries and books of account in Spanish and in accordance to International Financial Reporting Standards.

5. What is the CPA equivalent in Costa Rica?

The equivalent of a CPA in Costa Rica is a certified public accountant (Contador Publico Autorizado—CPA).

6. Does Costa Rica report in IFRS?

All listed companies must follow IFRS Standards.

Get support with accounting requirements in Costa Rica

To start a company in Costa Rica, you need the support of a qualified account and tax specialist from the outset. A well-thought-out business plan will not be able to evolve if your business does not remain in good standing with the local Costa Rican authorities.

Biz Latin Hub can assist you with all accounting, taxation, and financial matters. Our specialist team has a comprehensive understanding of local laws and complications in the Costa Rican business environment and is well-equipped to work with foreign companies looking to conduct commercial activity in the region.

To learn more about the accounting requirements in Costa Rica, the business opportunities to form a company, and how you might take advantage of this market, please contact us today.

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