WorldTax Compareโ† All Comparisons

Malawi vs Costa Rica
Tax Rate Comparison

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

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ผ Malawi
vs
๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ท Costa Rica
Tax Year:

๐Ÿ’ฐ Personal Income Tax Calculator

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

Enter your annual income above to see your personal tax comparison โ†’
Individual Income Tax (Top Marginal Rate)
Top Income Tax Rate
0โ€“35%
35% top; IMF program conditions
No change
0โ€“25%
25% top; fiscal consolidation achieved
No change
VAT / GST / Sales Tax
VAT / GST / Sales Tax
16.5%
16.5% VAT maintained
No change
13%
13% IVA maintained
No change
Corporate Tax Rate
Corporate Tax Rate
30%
30%; mining sector developing
No change
30%
30%; Pillar Two for MNCs; tech sector growing
No change
Capital Gains Tax
Capital Gains Tax
30%
30% CGT maintained
No change
15%
15% maintained
No change
Social Security & Payroll
Social Security / Payroll
~10%
MASM; pension coverage expanding
No change
~41.17%
High contributions; reform proposals for sustainability
No change
State, Regional & Local Taxes

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ผ Malawi โ€” District & City Councils

Malawi's 28 district councils and city/town assemblies levy property rates, trading licences, and local service charges. The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) administers national taxes. Malawi is landlocked and one of the world's poorest countries โ€” highly dependent on tobacco exports (declining due to health campaigns), tea, and sugar, plus significant international aid. An IMF Extended Credit Facility has been supporting fiscal consolidation. The kwacha has experienced significant depreciation, complicating tax bracket real values over time.

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ท 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 2018โ€“19 to address a fiscal deficit, converting the sales tax to a comprehensive VAT and modifying income tax.

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

Malawi vs Costa Rica: Key Tax Differences (2026)

๐Ÿ’ฐ Income Tax: ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ผ Malawi has a higher top income tax rate (0โ€“35% vs 0โ€“25%). ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ท Costa Rica is more favourable for high earners.

๐Ÿ›’ VAT/Sales Tax: Malawi has a higher consumption tax (16.5% vs 13%).

๐Ÿข Corporate Tax: Corporate rates are similar in both countries (30% vs 30%).

๐Ÿ“ˆ Capital Gains: ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ท Costa Rica taxes investment gains at a lower rate (15% vs 30%), benefiting investors.

Related Comparisons

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ผ Malawi vs ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฉ AndorraTax comparison๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ผ Malawi vs ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡จ MonacoTax comparison๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ผ Malawi vs ๐Ÿ‡ฑ๐Ÿ‡ฎ LiechtensteinTax comparison๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ผ Malawi vs ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฒ San MarinoTax comparison๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ผ Malawi vs ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ง BarbadosTax comparison๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ผ Malawi vs ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡น Trinidad and TobagoTax comparison๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ผ Malawi vs ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ธ BahamasTax comparison๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ผ Malawi vs ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฟ BelizeTax comparison๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ผ Malawi vs ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฎ NicaraguaTax comparison๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ผ Malawi vs ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡พ GuyanaTax comparison๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ผ Malawi vs ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ท SurinameTax comparison๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ผ Malawi vs ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ฏ FijiTax comparison