Starting in January 2025, Costa Rica will implement regulation MH-DGT-RES-0025-2024, a resolution issued by the Dirección General de Tributación on November 6, 2024. This resolution establishes the framework for the automatic exchange of tax information on income generated through digital platforms.
This regulation governs the activities of online platform operators, aligning them with the international standards set by the OECD.
What Is the Regulation About?
The primary goal of the resolution is to ensure tax transparency in activities facilitated by digital platforms, such as:
Rental of real estate properties.
Provision of personal services.
Sale of goods.
Rental of transportation services.
The regulation seeks to collect key information on the income generated by sellers on these platforms, promoting international collaboration and compliance with local tax obligations.
Key Provisions of the Regulation
Obligated Parties
Digital platform operators operating in Costa Rica or facilitating activities related to the country are required to report detailed tax information.
This includes both local operators and foreign entities linked by tax jurisdiction.
Operators' Obligations
Data Collection: Operators must collect and verify information about their sellers, including their Tax Identification Number (TIN), primary address, and transaction details.
Annual Reporting: Operators are required to submit a detailed report by April 30 of each year, using the Financial Information Exchange System (SIIF) provided by the Ministry of Finance.
Confidentiality: All information will be handled under strict confidentiality guidelines.
Penalties
Failure to submit the report may result in fines of 2% of the violator's gross income, with a minimum of three base salaries and a maximum of one hundred base salaries.
Progressive Implementation
Procedures must be implemented starting January 1, 2025.
The first mandatory report must be submitted no later than April 30, 2026.
What Should Digital Platforms Do?
Platform operators must prepare by implementing the due diligence processes outlined in the regulation. This includes adapting their systems to collect, verify, and report the required information to tax authorities.