Belize vs Costa Rica
Corporate Tax Comparison
Time of Update: Belize: 4/01/2026 / Costa Rica: 4/06/2026
Compare Belize and Costa Rica corporate tax rates, filing due dates, withholding tax, VAT, capital gains tax, and effective tax metrics for cross-border company planning.
Belize vs Costa Rica Corporate Tax Comparison
Basic Corporate Tax Comparison
Corporate Income Tax (CIT)
Belize
Costa Rica
General CIT Rate:
Companies in the oil industry: Subject to 25% income tax.
Most other businesses: Primarily subject to Business Tax levied on gross revenue / gross income, with common rates such as:
Other trading or businesses: 1.75%
Real estate income (rent, royalties, premiums, etc.): 3%
Professional / occupational income: 6%
Income from commissions, royalties, dividends, etc.: 15%
Financial institutions: 15%
Most other businesses: Primarily subject to Business Tax levied on gross revenue / gross income, with common rates such as:
Other trading or businesses: 1.75%
Real estate income (rent, royalties, premiums, etc.): 3%
Professional / occupational income: 6%
Income from commissions, royalties, dividends, etc.: 15%
Financial institutions: 15%
General CIT Rate:
30%
CIT Return Due Date:
Annual tax returns must be filed by March 31 of the subsequent tax year.
CIT Return Due Date:
CIT return is generally due by 15 March
CIT Payment Due Date:
Monthly business tax payments must be filed by the 15th day of each month, covering receipts for the previous month.
CIT Payment Due Date:
Final payment should also be made by 15 March
CIT Estimated Payment Due Date:
Estimated tax payments follow the same monthly schedule as business tax payments.
CIT Estimated Payment Due Date:
Estimated CIT payments must be made quarterly, with 75% of the amount split equally among June, September, and December.
Withholding Tax (WHT)
Belize
Costa Rica
Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
15/NA/NA
Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
15/15/0
None-Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
15/15/0
None-Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
15/15/25
Value-Added Tax (VAT)
Capital Gain Tax (CGT)
Belize
Costa Rica
General Capital Gain Tax Rate:
N/A
General Capital Gain Tax Rate:
15% (2.25% under certain conditions)
Effective Tax Rate (ETR)
Belize
Costa Rica
Composite Effective Average Tax Rate:
25%
Composite Effective Average Tax Rate:
28.24%
Composite Effective Marginal Tax Rate:
25%
Composite Effective Marginal Tax Rate:
26.12%
