A statement from the Presidential House reads:

The President of the Republic, Laura Chinchilla Miranda said that "Costa Rica has been taking steps in the right direction to improve tax administration, not only have we implemented leading-edge management models, but we have also proposed major changes to the laws of both taxes and procedures demonstrating a clear conviction and commitment by this Administration to improve public finances with a strong desire to work on the structural failure of our tax system. "

For the government, combating tax evasion is of the highest national interest. "If not fought with strength and efficiency, lax and dissolute behavior is fostered and encouraged in the majority of taxpayers who see the state’s negligence in combating fraud as an excuse not to comply with the rules themselves."

More on this topic

Employers: NO to Tax Evasion

August 2014

The business sector of Costa Rica agrees with the content of the draft law proposed by the executive branch to combat tax evasion, but points to gaps in the text.

The lack of "... clear measures on how to combat informality" is one of the shortcomings of the initiative, according to Alan Saborio, coordinator of the Tax Commission of the Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of Private Enterprise (Uccaep).

Employers are Demanding Fiscal "Fair Play"

June 2012

In Honduras, representatives from private companies request that the names of 34 large taxpayers who are allegedly evading paying their taxes be made public.

The president of the Honduran Council of Private Enterprise (COHEP), Aline Flores, has called for the publication of the names of large companies that are allegedly evading their tax obligations.

Guatemala Seeks to Raise $58 Million with 'Anti-evasion Law'

April 2011

A new attempt is being made by the Álvaro Colom government to increase tax collection by enforcing the so-called 'Anti-evasion Law'.

The bill contains administrative measures to improve control over and auditing of existing taxes as well as standardize aspects that seek to combat tax and customs fraud and smuggling, according to a communication from the Finance Ministry.

Tax Evasion in Guatemala Reaches 7% of GDP

January 2011

There is urgent need to strengthen the Superintendence of Tax Administration (SAT) with audit and control instruments.

Tax evasion reached $ 2,500 million, and businessmen insist that before a tax reform is passed, increasing tax burden and affecting competitiveness in the country, it is required "to improve the fight against tax evasion and customs smuggling."