Comments on: “Hacienda” stands firm – no tax exemptions for internet purchases

By: David M. Lane

David M. Lane — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 21:18:34 +0000

The way around this tax is to not use email. Most expats in CR went there for the “cost effective” health care and to gain a slower less hectic life than where they were before. Use snail mail instead. Get with the program of living a slower more relaxed life!

By: Fernando Gerdano

Fernando Gerdano — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 20:03:36 +0000

What happens is that the extranjeros here don’t end up buying things here, they load up when they are in their own country or when they have friends, family come down to visit they bring the goodies with them tax free. So this just double screws the Ticos, Pura vida.

By: John Volborth

John Volborth — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 19:48:41 +0000

Follow the money. Someone is putting some away for a rainy day..Just like here,, they’re called “Bankers,”.

By: John Volborth

John Volborth — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 19:48:41 +0000

I’m wondering..if thou protest too loudly, what happens to your visa?

By: David M. Lane

David M. Lane — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 19:33:36 +0000

Someone’s gotta pay for that almost free healthcare you get for moving there. Looks like that someone is you!!

By: Pat Lockwood

Pat Lockwood — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 18:33:41 +0000

Love it or leave it, like we did the states. We knew what living here would be like, and chose to move here anyway. This is not our country, we are guests here. I am so glad they let me live here. Tax me all you want, it is still a steal when I can enjoy the marvelous nature, animals and people.

By: Daniel Woodall

Daniel Woodall — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 18:18:35 +0000

Until Costa Rica gets better at taxing income, this is the way its going to be. The economy is growing at record levels, but they can’t figure out how to collect the revenue and there is also serious shortage of accountants in the labor market.

By: Peter Bartels

Peter Bartels — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 18:18:35 +0000

It’s strange because they aren’t protecting any domestic manufacturers of this stuff. It’s pretty much been proven that that mass market sales will provide more revenue (with a retail sales tax) plus they’ll increase jobs in retail and warehousing.

By: Julian Rembert

Julian Rembert — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 17:48:37 +0000

Free healthcare is not so free is it…. They need the tax money for entitlements.

By: Larry Felder

Larry Felder — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 17:48:37 +0000

Hey guys, complain if you want, but the taxes on CR citizens can’t support the infrastructure we enjoy because of the low average income of Ticos. CR can either stay a “developing” country for us to visit, or get money from us through high taxes to pay for their development because we want to live here. The people of Costa Rica are not the losers. Most CR citizens can’t afford and don’t really need or use the things you are complaining about. Sure there are rich Ticos who have to pay more like we do, but as a Socialist Democracy, the government tries to consider the condition of all its people. Expats you talk to that have been here for many years can’t believe the improvements, even though they are still not up to our standards. Somebody has to pay for improvements. I don’t blame them for taxing us hard. They can’t tax the poor. We can leave if we don’t like it, buy I don’t want to live anywhere else in Latin America anyway, particularly Panama. I’m willing to pay more than I should for my happiness. Be happy!!!