Costa Rica vs Trinidad and Tobago
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.
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.
๐น๐น Trinidad and Tobago โ Municipal & Regional Corporations
Trinidad and Tobago's 14 regional/municipal corporations (including Port of Spain City Corporation) levy property taxes and business licence fees. T&T is a significant energy producer in the Caribbean โ natural gas and oil revenues are major fiscal pillars. The country uses a Business Levy (0.6% of gross sales as minimum tax) and a Green Fund Levy (0.3%). T&T has the highest per-capita income in the Caribbean and a well-developed financial services sector.
Costa Rica vs Trinidad and Tobago: Key Tax Differences (2026)
๐ฐ Income Tax: ๐น๐น Trinidad and Tobago has a higher top income tax rate (0โ25% vs 25โ30%). ๐จ๐ท Costa Rica is more favourable for high earners.
๐ VAT/Sales Tax: Both countries have comparable consumption tax rates (13% vs 12.5%).
๐ข Corporate Tax: ๐จ๐ท Costa Rica offers a lower corporate rate (30% vs 35%), which can influence business location decisions.
๐ Capital Gains: ๐น๐น Trinidad and Tobago taxes investment gains at a lower rate (0% vs 15%), benefiting investors.