Costa Rica vs Canada
Tax Rate Comparison
Enter your income below for a personal tax estimate, then scroll down for full rate breakdowns.
💰 Personal Income Tax Calculator
Enter your income to see your estimated annual tax liability in each country — side by side.
Individual Income Tax (Top Marginal Rate)
VAT / GST / Sales Tax
Corporate Tax Rate
Capital Gains Tax
Social Security & Payroll
🇨🇷 Costa Rica — 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 José 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.
🇨🇦 Canada — Provincial Income & Sales Taxes
Canada's 10 provinces each levy their own income tax (4%–25.75% top). Combined federal+provincial top rates exceed 50% in Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Ontario. Quebec has its own QPP and QST (9.975%). Alberta has no provincial sales tax. HST replaces GST+PST in Atlantic provinces and Ontario. Property taxes are municipal.
Costa Rica vs Canada: Key Tax Differences (2026)
💰 Income Tax: 🇨🇦 Canada has a higher top income tax rate (0–25% vs 15–33%). 🇨🇷 Costa Rica is more favourable for high earners.
🛒 VAT/Sales Tax: Canada has a higher consumption tax (13% vs 5–15%).
🏢 Corporate Tax: 🇨🇦 Canada offers a lower corporate rate (15% vs 30%), which can influence business location decisions.
📈 Capital Gains: 🇨🇷 Costa Rica taxes investment gains at a lower rate (15% vs 33.3%), benefiting investors.