COSTA RICA NEWS — President of Costa Rica, Luis Guillermo Solís, says the government is looking to forgive, subject to conditions, payments owed for sales tax, interest and penalties by businesses in the tourism sector, to December 31, 2015.
Solís explains that the bill aims ease the recent interpretation of the Ley de Espectáculos Públicos(Public Entertainment Act) seeking tax and tourist activities, simultaneously, formalize and register these companies as new contributors.
The President says the government is understanding of the needs of the tourism sector.
Solís signed the bill that will be sent to the Legislative Assembly.
“The project covers only businesses and tourist activities, who before the effective date of this Act, had not been registered as taxpayers of sales tax and who have provided services in recreation centers or similar, but only if they register as taxpayers.” explained Vice-President, Ana Helena Chacón.
The tax was enacted by previous legislatures and governments failed to interpret it and charge it. Tourist operators didn’t charge their customers either.
The current government, realizing the mistake, or oversight by previous administrations, that under the law tours were considered public shows, and subject to the tax,
