Costa Rica Corporation

FACTS & INFO

• Corporate Information

  LEGAL FORM

  The Commercial Code 1964, as amended, governs the creation of companies, partnerships, trusts and sole proprietorships. The most popular company form in Costa Rica is a Stock Corporation, which is incorporated as 'Sociedad Anónima' under the Commercial Code, articles 102 ff. Costa Rica does not distinguish between onshore and offshore businesses as such. The basis of taxation is territorial, with both residents and non-residents paying tax on Costa Rican income, and not on foreign-source income.

  A Costa Rican corporation can conduct any business which is not prohibited by local legislation. Private banking, public finance, investment funds, collective investment schemes, and pension funds are allowed, but the government must authorise operations. Insurance and the distribution of petrol, gasoline, and diesel are prohibited as they are state owned monopolies. There are also restrictions placed on the provision of utility services such as telecoms and power. Trustee services are permitted.

  COMPANY NAME

  All Costa Rican corporations must end with the suffix "SA", "Sociedad Anónima", "Ltda", "Limitada", "SRL", or "Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada". The following names to be used, require licensing: "Bank", "Insurance", "Assurance", "Re-Insurance", "Savings", "Royal", "Asset Management", "Fund Management", "Investment Fund", "Building Society", "Municipal", or "Chartered". Names denoting any connection to local, state or national governments are generally prohibited. The names must be in the Latin alphabet. The registrar requires a Spanish translation.

  MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

  A company is incorporated in Costa Rica by presentation of the proposed corporation's signed articles of incorporation before a notary public who creates a public deed for registration at the public registry.

  SHAREHOLDER

  A minimum of two shareholders are required which may be individuals or bodies corporate. The original shareholders are a matter of public record, but subsequent shareholders are a private matter. The responsibility of shareholders is limited to company assets.

  SHARE CAPITAL

  The standard authorised share capital is Colones 10,000 divided in to 100 common voting shares of Colones 100 each. The capital may be expressed in any convertible currency. The minimum issued capital is one share at par value. Registered shares, shares of no par value, preference shares, redeemable shares and shares with or without voting rights are permitted. Bearer shares are not permitted.

  DIRECTORS AND COMPANY SECRETARY

  An SA has a board of directors with a minimum of 3 members (president, secretary and treasurer) and comptroller. A ltda has only a general manager and comptroller. In both cases the officers may or may not have Costa Rican citizenship, and details of the board members or the general manager are part of the public record. Corporate directors are not permitted in Costa Rica.

  REGISTERED OFFICE

  Costa Rican corporations must maintain a registered office and registered agent within Costa Rica. A registered agent may be a corporate body or an individual resident in Costa Rica.

  MEETINGS

  The directors and the shareholders meetings need not be held in Costa Rica and there is also no requirement for an AGM. All meetings may be held outside Costa Rica, by telephone or other electronic means. Alternatively, directors and shareholders may vote by proxy.

  INCORPORATION TIME

  Usually it is up to 20 working days, but we may need up to 12 working days for legalisation of the documents and delivery by courier.

  RECURRING MAINTENANCE FEES

  As from the second year, there are recurring maintenance fees of $980. These include:

  • Provision of registered office and registered address
  • Provision of registered agent
  • Payment of annual government fee

• Taxation

  TAXATION

  No corporation tax is levied on non-Costa Rican sourced income.

  AUDIT AND ACCOUNTING

  Whilst there is no requirement to file audited accounts or annual returns with the authorities, a company is required to keep financial records, which should reflect the financial position of a company.

• Our Services & Requirements

  OUR SERVICES INCLUDE:

  • Name check and approval
  • Filling of incorporation documents with the Registro Nacional
  • A standard set of original corporate documents
  • Payment of the government fee
  • Provision of registered agent and registered address for one year
  • Rubber stamp

  Please note: If applying for a corporate bank account you will need to order a full set of apostilled company documents when the account is opened outside of Costa Rica.

  DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:

  Please provide the following documents for all directors, shareholders, beneficial owners, and authorised signatories:

  • Notarized copy of valid passport.
  • Original or Certified copy of utility bill / bank statement (as verification of residential address, dated within three months).
  • Original or certified copy of Banker’s reference letter (dated within three months).
  • In cases where shareholders and/or directors are corporate bodies, full apostilled set of corporate documents and certificate of good standing (for companies registered more than one year).

  IMPORTANT NOTE: LICENSABLE BUSINESS ACTIVITIES

  If you conduct any activity without the required license or authorisation granted by a relevant authority in any jurisdiction, Starting Business will not be able to assist you with the company formation or bank account opening related to such unlicensed activity.

  Licensable activities include, but are not limited to: provision of financial services involving trading/brokerage in foreign exchange, financial and commodity-based derivative instruments and other securities; offering investment advice to public; insurance and banking; operation and administration of collective investment schemes and mutual funds; payment processing services; money exchange, money transmission or money brokering; asset management; safe custody services; gaming, gambling and lotteries.

  Please contact us if you need assistance in the licensing of your financial, Forex brokerage or gambling company.

  SHIPPING COSTS

  Shipping of corporate documents or banking kits to your destination requires an extra charge and will be automatically added to your order during checkout. Shipping costs for international courier services are set automatically depending on geographic zones.