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Taxes

Costa Rica — Tax: Wealth Tax

Costa Rica does not have a general net wealth tax — the AI draft's core conclusion was correct, but incomplete. It does have a targeted annual tax on luxury residential property (the Impuesto Solidario para el Fortalecimiento de Programas de Vivienda, or 'Solidarity Tax'), introduced in 2009. This tax applies only to the construction/improvement value (not land value) of a home once it exceeds roughly ₡145 million (about $240,000), with rates commonly cited as 0.25% to 0.55%, and is due annually by January 15.

VerifiedLuxury home / solidarity tax guides (costaricalaw.com, flamingobeachrealty.com, taxatlas.io) describing the Impuesto Solidario, corroborated across multiple independent sourcesLast reviewed: 2026-08-29

Why this matters

While there is no general wealth tax, owners of higher-value homes face a real, specific annual tax (the Solidarity/luxury home tax) that the incomplete original draft didn't mention — anyone buying a higher-end property in Costa Rica should know this exists and budget for it separately from the standard 0.25% municipal property tax.

Key facts

  • Costa Rica has no general tax on net wealth or total assets.
  • It does have the Impuesto Solidario (Solidarity Tax for Strengthening Housing Programs), an annual tax on luxury residential properties, introduced in 2009 to fund affordable housing programs.
  • The Solidarity Tax applies only to the construction/improvement value of a home (not the land value) once that construction value exceeds roughly ₡145 million (about $240,000, subject to periodic adjustment).
  • Rates are commonly cited as 0.25% to 0.55% depending on the assessed value tier.
  • The Solidarity Tax is paid annually, due by January 15, and is separate from and in addition to the standard 0.25% municipal property tax (Impuesto Sobre Bienes Inmuebles — see Property Taxes page).

Steps

  1. Check if your property's construction value exceeds the threshold — If a home's construction/improvement value (not land) exceeds roughly ₡145 million (~$240,000), the Solidarity/luxury home tax applies in addition to the standard property tax.
  2. Pay by the annual deadline — File and pay the Solidarity Tax annually by January 15 if applicable, separately from the standard municipal property tax.

Costs

  • Solidarity (luxury home) tax: 0.25%-0.55% of the construction/improvement value, applicable only above roughly ₡145 million (~$240,000) in construction value

Timelines

  • Annual payment deadline: By January 15 each year

Required documents

  • Property deed/title
  • Municipal/construction valuation records

Common mistakes

  • Assuming 'no wealth tax' means no tax at all on high-value homes — the Solidarity (luxury home) Tax applies specifically to construction value above roughly $240,000
  • Confusing the Solidarity Tax with the standard 0.25% municipal property tax — they are separate, additive taxes
  • Applying the Solidarity Tax threshold to total property value instead of just the construction/improvement value

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