Dentons (JD Supra Costa Rica)
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Costa Rica: Law to extend the application of work shift reductions for up to one year for the tourism sector (Law 9982)
On May 21, 2021, Law 9982 came into force, extending the application of work shift reductions for companies in the tourism sector. Consequently, for up to one year, and as long as the state of emergency continues, the tourism sector can apply for the authorization of the said reductions, at the Ministry of Labor.
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Costa Rica: Amendment to the Law Against Sexual Harassment – Obligation to keep a record of disciplinary sanctions
On 29 April 2021, an amendment to articles 5 and 34 of the Law Against Sexual Harassment was published in the Official Gazette. The amendment provides the obligation of employers to keep an updated record of any disciplinary sanction related to sexual harassment conducts of its employees.
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Costa Rica: Extension of the deadline to comply with the 2021 Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) Registry
The deadline for filing the UBO 2021 was extended another month, as per the publication of April 29, 2021, on the Official Gazette. Originally, the deadline to comply with this obligation was on April 30, 2021, and the new deadline for filing is May 31, 2021.
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Costa Rica: Recent amendments to immigration measures
Resolution No. DJUR-0031-03-2021-JM, published in The Official Gazette No. 43 of 3 March 2021, some temporary administrative measures were amended by the Immigration Authorities (DGME), of interest to our clients...
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Costa Rica: Opening of land borders as of April 5, 2021
On February 26, 2021, an amendment to article 29 of Executive Decree number 42690-MGP-S, dated October 30, 2020, was published in the Official Gazette.
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Retail Tracker - Dentons Publisher - Costa Rica
National Emergency Declaration - The Costa Rican government has established conditions for yellow and orange cities to set the rulings, usually being orange cities the ones with severe restrictions.
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Costa Rica: The Congress of Costa Rica approves the sponsorship of alcoholic beverages in sports
The Congress of Costa Rica approved, on Thursday, November 19, 2020, bill 21.663 that allows the sponsorship of alcoholic beverages in sports and sporting events, which until now was prohibited. This will allow the entry of fresh financial resources to the sports industry, which is expected to positively impact the quality of the sports infrastructure, the development of high-performance athletes,
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Costa Rica: Private Sector Minimum Salary Increase as of January 2021
The National Salary Council approved the minimum salary increase for private-sector employees, effective January 1, 2021, and will be valid for one year. The general increase percentage this time is 0.30% and 2.33% for domestic service employees.
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Costa Rica: Government announces entry authorization for Central America, Belize and Panama
On October 8, 2020, the Government of Costa Rica announced the opening of the air borders for Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Belize, and Panama, as of today, October 15. Travelers may only enter through air borders; land borders will continue to be closed.
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Costa Rica: Government announces entry authorization for all states of the United States of America
On October 2, 2020, the Government of Costa Rica announced the authorization of entry for all states of the United States, as of November 1. In addition, as of October 15, residents of the following states will be authorized to enter: Florida, Georgia, Texas.
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Costa Rica: Alliance between the Ministry of Finance and the Department of the Treasury of the United States to strengthen the Costa Rican Tax Authority's control and supervision
On September 30, 2020, the General Tax Administration published on its website the existence of an agreement between the Costa Rica Ministry of Finance and the Department of the Treasury of the United States of America, which aims to support the Costa Rican Tax Authority in strengthening controls and developing complementary actions to improve tax compliance and fight against tax evasion and...
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Costa Rica: New regulation rules the adoption of anti-corruption and anti-bribery programs
On August 27, 2020, the regulation to the Law for Criminal Liability of Legal Entities on Domestic Bribery, Transnational Bribery, and other Crimes, Law No. 9699, was published by executive decree No. 42399-MEIC-MJP, one year after the entry into force of this law. The regulation aims to promote the establishment of the "Optional model for the organization, crime prevention, management, and...
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Costa Rica: UNCITRAL’s new Public-Private Legislative Guide provides relevant insight on PPP legal frameworks with its “Disputes Prevention and Settlements Methods” being one of the highlights
On December 18, 2019, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 74/183 on the “United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Legislative Provisions on Public-Private Partnerships”. The General Assembly recommended all States to give due consideration to the Model Legislative Provisions and the Legislative Guide when revising or adopting legislation relevant to public-priva
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Costa Rica: Government announces entry authorization for six more states of the United States of America
On August 27, 2020, the Government of Costa Rica announced the authorization of entry for six more states of the United States. As of September 1, in addition to residents of New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and Connecticut, residents of the following states will also be authorized to enter: Maryland, Virginia & the District of Columbia.
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Costa Rica: Government announces the gradual opening of air borders for six states of the United States of America
On August 19, 2020, the Government of Costa Rica announced the gradual opening of the country´s air borders for six states of the United States. as of September 1. Only residents of the following states may enter: New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut. The entry of travelers to Costa Rica from these states will have several mandatory requirements: Demonstrating, with a...
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Costa Rica: Government announces the extension of the gradual opening of air borders
On August 13, 2020, the Government of Costa Rica announced the extension of the gradual opening of the country´s air borders. In total, 44 countries can enter Costa Rica. The air borders are open only for the following countries: Japan, Thailand, China, Australia, New Zealand, Uruguay, European Union (specifically travelers boarding in Frankfurt and Madrid), United Kingdom, Canada.
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Costa Rica: Term is extended until August 18, 2020, for the submission of the tax return and tax payment corresponding to activities carried out in July 2020
On Monday, August 10, 2020, the Ministry of Finance issued an official statement, in which it informs that the term is extended until August 18, 2020, for taxpayers to present without penalties the tax returns and tax payments to the activities carried out in July 2020, which will expire on August 15.
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Government of Costa Rica announces the opening of air borders
On July 23, 2020, the Government of Costa Rica announced the gradual opening of the country´s air borders, starting on August 1, only for citizens of: This opening will mean less than five flights per week and a controlled entry of the number of travelers that can enter the country. The entry of travelers to Costa Rica will have several mandatory requirements: Showing a negative result of the...
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Costa Rica: Term is extended until July 20 for the submission of the Value-Added Tax return corresponding to activities carried out in June 2020
On Monday, July 13, 2020, the Ministry of Finance issued an official statement, in which it informs that the term is extended until July 20 for taxpayers to file without penalties the declarations of Value-Added Tax (VAT) corresponding to the activities carried out in June 2020, which expiration date was today July 15.
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Costa Rica: Extension of the temporary measures for the provision of services provided by Immigration
On July 08, 2020, Immigration informed about the extension of the measures for the services provided by its offices. The following measures are the most important: New applications for legal stay (residency application, short term visa, special category) will be received as of September 18, 2020.
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Costa Rica: The deferral on the payment of taxes ends - Tax Relief Law due to COVID-19
On June 30, 2020, the deferral on the payment of Value Added Tax, partial payments of Income Tax, Selective Consumption Tax, and import tariffs that applied for April, May, and June 2020 end. Back in March 2020, Costa Rica approved the Tax Relief Law due to COVID-19, which established, among other measures, the deferral on such taxes.
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Costa Rica: Compliance with tax obligations for companies registered in the country
Considering that a series of legal reforms have imposed new obligations for companies in 2020, below, we summarize some of the legal obligations that apply to companies registered in Costa Rica, as a reference and reminder for our clients about new obligations and those that previously existed.
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Costa Rica: Could there be State responsibility for the measures adopted by the Government in the state of national emergency due to the pandemic?
More than three months have passed since the first positive diagnosis for coronavirus (COVID19) in the country. During this period, the Government of Costa Rica has issued a series of measures with great social and economic impact, aimed at avoiding the contagion of the population due to this virus. These provisions, without a doubt, have produced a change in the way we live and relate as a...
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Costa Rica: Ensure the reopening of the workplace and the continuity of your business
Many companies are already planning how to operate under the new measures and the roadmap for the reopening announced by the government. It is time for companies to get a balance between the need and urgency to restart, continue their economic activities, and to adapt to the new health regulations that have emerged for the containment of COVID-19, which allow them to adapt to this "new normal".
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Costa Rica: COVID-19 New extension to restrictions to enter the country and vehicle restriction
On May 29, 2020, the Government of Costa Rica announced the extension of entry measures to the country. The borders will now remain closed through June 30, 2020. This extension applies to air, sea, and land borders.
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Costa Rica: COVID-19: its impact on sports and related businesses
The world of sports has been impacted by COVID-19 and causing the rescheduling of the majority of events and championships. This situation generates consequences not only in the sports calendar at a global level but also in sports and commercial contracts.
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Costa Rica: Temporary measures for the provision of Immigration services
On May 14, 2020, Immigration informed about the extension of the measures for the services provided in its offices. The following measures are the most important: New applications for legal permanence (residency application, short term visa, special category) will be received as of July 18, 2020.
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COVID-19 extension to restrictions to enter Costa Rica and vehicle restriction
On May 7, 2020, the Government of Costa Rica announced the extension of entry measures to the country. The borders will remain closed through June 15, 2020. This extension applies to air, sea, and land borders.
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Costa Rica: The Special 301 Report by USTR recognizes the country's progress on IP matter
This year Special 301 Report brings good news: Costa Rica was removed from the Watch List after 25 years due to concrete steps took to improve the Intellectual Property environment within the country.
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Costa Rica: Labor measures to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic
The employers who will be able to access these relief methods are those who have had a reduction in their gross income, of at least 20%, in relation to the same month of the previous year. Also, the affectation must derive from the emergency produced by the COVID-19 pandemic.