Taxes: Moratorium for Tourism Companies

Companies that owe taxes to the Costa Rica Tourism Institute will be granted a moratorium during April, May, June and July.

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Regarding the taxes to which the moratorium will apply, the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) reported they are 5% for the sale of each air ticket originating in Costa Rica for international travel, in addition to the 5% that applies to the purchase of tickets whose destination is our country. Also included is the $15 fee for the entry of each tourist by air.

See "Post-Quarantine Consumption Patterns"

From the ICT statement:

Tuesday, March 31st, 2020.  The Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) agreed to a four-month moratorium on payments (April, May, June and July) to companies that owe taxes to the Institution. The decision was taken in the context of the unprecedented health and economic crisis resulting from COVID-19. This resolution became effective this Tuesday with the agreement of the Board of Directors SJD-092-2020.

The ICT charges a 5% tax on the sale of each air ticket that begins in Costa Rica for international travel. In addition, there is another 5% tax that applies to the purchase of tickets whose destination is our country. This is in addition to the $15 charge for each tourist's airfare, which provides the ICT with the budgetary content for its operation and the promotion of the country.

Aware of the zero income season that will extend for at least three months in the tourism sector, the Board of Directors of the Institution approved these measures to help alleviate the blow of this crisis to the Costa Rican tourism sector and the country.
"The seven members of the Board of Directors have complete clarity on the situation facing the tourism sector and we know that companies will have problems of lack of liquidity and therefore a decrease in their ability to pay in order to comply with their expenditures," said Maria Amalia Revelo, Minister of Tourism and Executive President of the ICT.

The Minister added that the Board of Directors took "measures in order to support those managed by the ICT that have fulfilled their tax obligations for years, allowing the institution to grow in its tourism development programs in our country."

Read full article (In Spanish).

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