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Germany vs Costa Rica
Tax Rate Comparison

Enter your income below for a personal tax estimate, then scroll down for full rate breakdowns.

πŸ‡©πŸ‡ͺ Germany
vs
πŸ‡¨πŸ‡· Costa Rica
Tax Year:

πŸ’° Personal Income Tax Calculator

Enter your income to see your estimated annual tax liability in each country β€” side by side.

Enter your annual income above to see your personal tax comparison β†’
Individual Income Tax (Top Marginal Rate)
Top Income Tax Rate
14–45%
Basic allowance ~€12,336; bracket creep relief
No change
0–25%
25% top; fiscal consolidation achieved
No change
VAT / GST / Sales Tax
VAT / GST / Sales Tax
7–19%
Standard 19% unchanged
No change
13%
13% IVA maintained
No change
Corporate Tax Rate
Corporate Tax Rate
~29%
Coalition discussions on lowering to 25% ongoing
β–Ό -0.5pp vs 2025
30%
30%; Pillar Two for MNCs; tech sector growing
No change
Capital Gains Tax
Capital Gains Tax
25%
Investment income reform proposals under review
No change
15%
15% maintained
No change
Social Security & Payroll
Social Security / Payroll
~41.5%
Health insurance rising; pension base up
β–² +0.5pp vs 2025
~41.17%
High contributions; reform proposals for sustainability
No change
State, Regional & Local Taxes

πŸ‡©πŸ‡ͺ Germany β€” Trade Tax (Gewerbesteuer) & Church Tax

Germany's 16 BundeslΓ€nder apply federal income tax rates uniformly β€” no state income tax variation. Municipalities levy Gewerbesteuer (trade tax) on business profits at ~7–17% effective. Church tax (Kirchensteuer) of 8–9% of income tax applies to registered members. The solidarity surcharge (Soli) now only applies to the top ~10% of earners.

πŸ‡¨πŸ‡· Costa Rica β€” 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 JosΓ© and other urban cantons have highest rates. National taxes are administered by the Ministry of Finance (Hacienda). Costa Rica underwent significant fiscal reform in 2018–19 to address a fiscal deficit, converting the sales tax to a comprehensive VAT and modifying income tax.

⚠️ Disclaimer: Rates shown are standard top/headline rates for informational purposes. Actual tax liability depends on income level, residency, deductions, and tax treaties. 2025–2026 data reflects announced or enacted rates and may be subject to change. Not financial or legal advice.

Germany vs Costa Rica: Key Tax Differences (2026)

πŸ’° Income Tax: πŸ‡©πŸ‡ͺ Germany has a higher top income tax rate (14–45% vs 0–25%). πŸ‡¨πŸ‡· Costa Rica is more favourable for high earners.

πŸ›’ VAT/Sales Tax: Germany has a higher consumption tax (7–19% vs 13%).

🏒 Corporate Tax: πŸ‡©πŸ‡ͺ Germany offers a lower corporate rate (29% vs 30%), which can influence business location decisions.

πŸ“ˆ Capital Gains: πŸ‡¨πŸ‡· Costa Rica taxes investment gains at a lower rate (15% vs 25%), benefiting investors.

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