Nicaragua vs Costa Rica
Tax Rate Comparison
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๐ฐ Personal Income Tax Calculator
Enter your income to see your estimated annual tax liability in each country โ side by side.
๐ณ๐ฎ Nicaragua โ Municipal Taxes
Nicaragua's 153 municipalities levy the Impuesto de Matrรญcula (2% of prior revenues), Impuesto Municipal sobre Ingresos (IMI at 1% of monthly revenues), property tax (IBI at 1%), and service fees. Nicaragua under Ortega government has faced significant economic disruption from 2018 protests and subsequent international isolation. The economy has stabilized somewhat but remains one of the poorest in Central America. Tax administration reform has been ongoing with support from international institutions.
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.
Nicaragua vs Costa Rica: Key Tax Differences (2026)
๐ฐ Income Tax: ๐ณ๐ฎ Nicaragua has a higher top income tax rate (0โ30% vs 0โ25%). ๐จ๐ท Costa Rica is more favourable for high earners.
๐ VAT/Sales Tax: Nicaragua has a higher consumption tax (15% vs 13%).
๐ข Corporate Tax: Corporate rates are similar in both countries (30% vs 30%).