Taxation of companies in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has a territorial tax system, which means that the government imposes taxes only on companies that generate income within the country.

Income generated worldwide (outside of Costa Rica) is not subject to tax.

Regarding tax treaties, individuals can check the list of non-double taxation agreements of Costa Rica on this page.

Registration process of a company in Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, company incorporation is a simple and straightforward process that does not require too much time and effort.

Necessary documents
In order to register your company in Costa Rica, you need to prepare a set of documents. The articles of incorporation are legal documents that include your company’s business name, its purpose and business location. Keep in mind that it’s necessary to translate the documents into Spanish and notarize them. You should also provide passport copies of all founders and directors of the company.

If you appoint a person who will act on behalf of your company, you will have to provide a power of attorney as well. It’s worth mentioning that there are no minimum share capital requirements for companies in Costa Rica. However, it may depend on the type of company you are planning to set up and its business activities. In some cases, you will have to pay 1 USD or 4 USD.

Remote incorporation
If you have no opportunity to travel to Costa Rica in order to register a company, you can do it remotely. For a remote incorporation, you will have to prepare the necessary documents as well. Getting and notarizing a power of attorney is an important step you will have to take. In some cases, you will have to certify the power of attorney by apostille.

No doubt, remote incorporation provides a wide range of benefits. The fact that there is no need to travel abroad can save you time and money. With our experts a remote company formation in Costa Rica will be a simple and transparent process.

How to: registration company in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is definitely one of the best offshore jurisdictions you can prefer for your company registration. In Costa Rica, the process of company incorporation is usually quick and straightforward. Choosing the type of the company you want to set up and its business name is the first thing you will have to do. Then you should prepare and submit all the necessary documents including the article of incorporation, identification documents and the power of attorney if necessary.

Once the company registration is complete, you can open a bank account. You will have to prepare another set of documents for the bank and fill in the application form. After getting the approval, you will be able to start using your bank account.

Bookkeeping and audits for a company in Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, there are no compulsory accounting requirements for offshore companies. However, you still have to file an annual tax return. This is included in our services, so you don’t have to worry about this obligation when the times come.

Auditing requirements
There is also no legal requirement to file a tax audit report in Costa Rica, but it is extremely important to have an internal auditor who will evaluate your company’s performance and analyze financial documents.

Registry of companies in Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, the National Registry keeps records of all legal entities including partnerships, corporations and limited liability companies.

Registry of directors in Costa Rica
According to Costa Rican laws and regulations, you have to register your offshore company with the National Registry. The registry contains the information about your company directors including their names, national identification numbers and addresses.

Registry of shareholders in Costa Rica
The National Registry of Costa Rica maintains the information about company shareholders. During the process of company registration, you have to provide the information about shareholders including their names, national identification numbers and addresses. You may also need to provide additional information as well. The information about shareholders is not public.

Are nominee services legal in Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, nominee services are legal. However, you must make sure that the use of nominee services complies with the existing Costa Rican laws and regulations. The government of Costa Rica allows foreign investors to set up anonymous companies. Their owners do not have to provide their identity and explain their relationship with the company. Keep in mind that the use of nominee services should be transparent.

Local requirements for companies registered in Costa Rica
When it comes to offshore company formation in Costa Rica, there are some important requirements you should stick to.

Economic substance in Costa Rica
To be able to establish an offshore company in Costa Rica, you need a physical address within the jurisdiction for administrative and legal purposes. Make sure that the legal address you prefer complies with legal requirements and can receive correspondence.

There is no legal obligation to hire local workers to register a company in Costa Rica. However, you can really benefit from doing so. The local people have the knowledge that can be very useful for your company. But even if you are not planning to hire Costa Rican workers, your company still should comply with current labor laws and regulations.

Residency requirements of shareholders and directors in Costa Rica
When it comes to establishing a company in Costa Rica, non-residents of the country have the same rights and obligations that residents and nationals usually have. According to the local laws and regulations, the directors and shareholders of an offshore company do not have to be residents of Costa Rica. That means that your company directors and shareholders can be from any country.

Opening a bank account for a company in Costa Rica
In order to be able to set up and run your activities from Costa Rica, you may need to open a bank account. You have an opportunity to choose a local bank or an international bank that operates on the territory of this jurisdiction. Once you decide which bank you would like to use, you will have to prepare a set of documents, submit them to the bank, fill in the application form and wait for approval.

Our experts are always happy to help you with opening a bank account for your company formation in Costa Rica. Feel free to contact us to get the answers to all your questions.