Costa Rica vs Belize
Tax Rate Comparison
Enter your income below for a personal tax estimate, then scroll down for full rate breakdowns.
๐ฐ Personal Income Tax Calculator
Enter your income to see your estimated annual tax liability in each country โ side by side.
๐จ๐ท Costa Rica โ Municipal Taxes
Costa Rica's 84 cantons (municipalities) levy the impuesto sobre bienes inmuebles (property tax at 0.25% of assessed value), business licences (patente municipal), and construction permits. The Municipalidad de San Josรฉ and other urban cantons have highest rates. National taxes are administered by the Ministry of Finance (Hacienda). Costa Rica underwent significant fiscal reform in 2018โ19 to address a fiscal deficit, converting the sales tax to a comprehensive VAT and modifying income tax.
๐ง๐ฟ Belize โ Municipal & Town Council Taxes
Belize's 6 districts and municipal/town councils levy property tax, business tax (turnover-based), and trade licences. Belize has a unique business tax system โ a turnover-based tax (1.75%โ19% of gross revenues by sector) instead of a traditional profit-based corporate income tax. Belize is a former British colony using English common law. It's a tourism-dependent economy with growing offshore financial services and a significant Belizean diaspora. The country has been working to exit grey lists and improve tax transparency.
Costa Rica vs Belize: Key Tax Differences (2026)
๐ฐ Income Tax: Costa Rica and Belize have similar top income tax rates (0โ25% vs 0โ25%).
๐ VAT/Sales Tax: Both countries have comparable consumption tax rates (13% vs 12.5%).
๐ข Corporate Tax: ๐ง๐ฟ Belize offers a lower corporate rate (19% vs 30%), which can influence business location decisions.
๐ Capital Gains: ๐ง๐ฟ Belize taxes investment gains at a lower rate (0% vs 15%), benefiting investors.