In order to tax the total amount of profits of individuals or corporations based in Costa Rica, regardless of where their profits are generated, a bill was submitted to the Assembly that seeks to amend the Income Tax Law.
Currently in Costa Rica a territorial income system is applied, which consists of taxing profits produced exclusively at the local level. If the Income Tax Law is modified, the situation could change.
In Honduras, rebates and discounts applied to sales should be detailed on the invoice, a change with which the business sector would disagree if the government decides to collect taxes on the discounted amount.
On March 1, the changes to the invoices, which were imposed by Agreement 817-2018, came into effect. Among them, it is important to note that the fields for discounts and rebates must be included in the format of the document.
The new tax reform proposal presented by the Ministry of Finance of Costa Rica includes the creation of a global income system to impose and collect a tax on the profits of companies and individuals.
Taxing all of the profits of natural and legal persons, including those currently paid separately by the identity code income method, is the principal new feature of the new tax reform plan presented by the Ministry of Finance.
In Costa Rica, the Ministry of Finance has announced that it will intensify controls on tax returns submitted by professionals in activities such as medicine, law and accounting, among others.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance:
As part of the control actions carried out by the General Department of Taxation (DGT), this month a campaign was launched to monitor the professional sector which includes sending out more than 25 thousand messages.
Presenting a tax declaration will be a requirement for some companies seeking bank loans.
The move is part of the Regulation on the Qualification of the Debtors, which has been in effect since June 17.The companies that will be asked for this requirement are those who "... have a good credit record, low currency risk in the event of abrupt changes in the dollar and have audited financial statements."
Starting July 25 all tax returns must be made through the new digital system, e-Tax 2.0.
The resolution published in the official newspaper La Gaceta states that"... all taxpayers and users of the computer system e-Tax Tax 2.0 are given notice, that the only way to submit declarations is through the internet."
The Government is once again bringing to the table the concept of global income, to force tax residents in the country to declare and pay taxes on profits earned abroad.
The Ministry of Finance has announced that"... they are working on a substitute text to a reform of income tax, which would mean a profound change to the initiative which is in Congress."This proposal is for tax any income generated from commercial activities outside of Costa Rica, by those tax residents who stay at least 183 days a year in the country.
Tax Memorandum by Tezó and Associates regarding verification of the information presented in the annual declaration of income tax.
Tax Memorandum by Tezó and Associates:
In March 2015 the SAT sent an email containing a reminder to some Special Taxpayers in respect to the maturity of the annual Income Tax affidavit (ISR). This email includes he notice with the following paragraph: "In April 2015, the SAT will verify the information presented in the annual ISR affidavit, for which reason it asks, among other things, for the integration of non-deductible expenses and receivables reported and declared. "
Tax Memorandum by Tezó and Associates on Transfer Pricing and schedule for payment obligations in February 2015.
Tax Memorandum by Tezó and Associates:
Under Articles 54 and 55 of Decree No. 10-2012, effective from January 1, 2015, the tax authorities can check whether transactions between related parties (an entity resident in Guatemala with a resident abroad), are rated according to the principle of free competition and make adjustments when the valuation agreed between the parties results in less tax being paid in the country or deferred taxation; if adjustments are made an audience must be conferred within the Process for Determination of Tax Liability by the Administration, established in the Tax Code. It is understood for tax purposes, under the Principle of Free Competition, that the price or amount for a particular operation that independent parties may have agreed in conditions of free competition should be comparable to those performed operations.
Payment schedule for liabilities in January 2015 and Memorandum on Tax Bancarization.
Tax Memorandum
The requirement for Tax Bankarization is regulated by Articles 20 and 21 of Decree No. 20-2006, articles which were amended by Articles 27 and 28 of Decree No. 04-2012, specifically in order to change the amount of bankarization amount from $6,585 to $3,951
Schedule of payment of liabilities for December 2014 and Tax Memorandum on the new control department for exempt taxpayers.
Tax Memorandum
Department of Control for Exempt Taxpayers
The SAT is directly notifying taxpayers of the creation of a Department of Control for Exempt Taxpayers
The core of the notification indicates that:
"The Superintendency of Tax Administration has implemented a Control Department for Exempt Entities to provide in a comprehensive manner, service, control and monitoring of compliance with tax and customs obligations; and verify the proper use of the benefits of those entities that enjoy tax breaks of any kind.
Payment schedule of obligations corresponding to August 2014 and Memorandum on Tax Regulation on Occupational Health and Safety.
Tax Memorandum August 13th to 14th, 2014.
Regulation of Occupational Health and Safety
The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare published in the official newspaper La Gaceta of August 11, 2014 Governmental Agreement No. 229-2014 through which issues the "Regulation of Occupational Health and Safety" must be observed by all employers. Its validity is from February 11, 2015, ie there are six months to implement the measures for occupational health and safety, required by this Regulation.
Calendar of payment obligations for July 2014 and Memorandum Tax on banking secrecy.
Tax Memorandum August 12nd - 14th 2014
Is bank secrecy is over?
All OECD countries as well as others such as Costa Rica have committed to the automatic exchange of tax information.
Because of the importance of this topic, the following is transcribed from a statement issued by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD):