Barbados 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.
๐ง๐ง Barbados โ Parish Councils & Land Tax
Barbados's 11 parishes have parish councils that levy land tax at 0.1%โ0.7% of site value. Barbados has long been a significant international business and financial centre, particularly for Canadian companies. Major tax reform in 2019 aligned Barbados with OECD BEPS standards. A tiered corporate tax rate structure was introduced. Barbados was removed from the EU tax haven blacklist following these reforms and maintains competitiveness as an IFC.
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.
Barbados vs Costa Rica: Key Tax Differences (2026)
๐ฐ Income Tax: ๐ง๐ง Barbados has a higher top income tax rate (12.5โ28.5% vs 0โ25%). ๐จ๐ท Costa Rica is more favourable for high earners.
๐ VAT/Sales Tax: Barbados has a higher consumption tax (17.5% vs 13%).
๐ข Corporate Tax: ๐ง๐ง Barbados offers a lower corporate rate (9% vs 30%), which can influence business location decisions.
๐ Capital Gains: ๐ง๐ง Barbados taxes investment gains at a lower rate (0% vs 15%), benefiting investors.