Category Archives: Blog

Regulation for the Tax Relief Law in Costa Rica for the Coronavirus

The Ministry of Treasury issued the Regulations for the Tax Relief Law, which established the moratorium on the payment of VAT, Income Tax advance payments, excise tax, and import duties during the months of April, May and June 2020. The Regulations establish that taxpayers registered at the Single Tax Registry (RUT by its name in…

Reforms to the Guatemalan Commercial Code for the Coronavirus

Given recent governmental measures to address the COVID-19 situation, we provide a summary of the main provisions that facilitate the continuance of business and commercial activities by using remote communication technologies, digital signatures, and digital checks. Remote communication technologies allow parties to participate and make decisions in shareholders and directors meetings, as well as convoking meetings….

Frequently Asked Questions on Labor matters related to COVID-19 in Nicaragua

In case of business closure and termination of the employment relationship, can the business schedule the payment of the severance agreement? A: Employers and employees can agree on a liquidation payment plan beneficial to both parties, but employers cannot impose it unilaterally. It is important that the arrangement is made in writing and executed by both…

Preventive and Containment Measures to Contain the COVID -19 Pandemic

On March 21, 2020, the Government issued the executive Decree No. 12 (“the Decree”), whereby it has established several measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of its most important aspects include: Purpose: the purpose of the Directive is to impose a national household quarantine and to limit commercial activities for 30 days. The Directive…

Work from home for Free Trade Zone Companies during National State of Emergency in Costa Rica for COVID-19

By circular DGA-006-2020 of March 19, 2020, the General Directorate of Customs authorized Free Trade Zone companies to take the following measures while the National Emergency Decree remains in force. Transfer of computer equipment and furniture Transfer the necessary and indispensable computer equipment and furniture, so that the employees can carry out the functions authorized…

Legal aspects related to Coronavirus in El Salvador

General On March 18, 2020, decrees for the measures of the Economic Response and Relief Plan were submitted to the Legislative Assembly, pending their approval. This includes funding to create the $2 billion Emergency, Recovery and Economic Reconstruction Fund, which will include $50 million for micro and small businesses to create productive capacity and ventures,…

Prevention of COVID-19 in Guatemala

Last week Guatemala joined the list of countries that confirm the existence of the COVID-19 virus, making this situation an imminent call to all businessmen and leaders of institutions, including educational centers, to review and raise the need for a plan of internal prevention, protocols and guidelines that indicate the appropriate handling of any situation…

Immigration measures to reduce COVID-19 exposure in Costa Rica

The Government of Costa Rica, today 23rd of March 2020, announced stronger sanitary measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the country. In this sense, the following was expanded in terms of immigration measures: As of March 24, 2020, any foreign person who is a Resident or with any approved regular status in the…

Public Procurement: tenders in process and contracts that are in execution.

Due do the actual state of emergency declared by the Government and the corresponding guidelines that have been issued to prevent the Coronavirus (Covid-19) from spreading, its essential to know the main implications of this situation on tenders in process and contracts that are in execution under the Public Procurement Regulations. What happens with the…

Authorization of Extensions of Temporary Import Certificates, Tourist Category, by Emergency of COVID-19

Costa Rica´s General Directorate of Customs authorized the beneficiaries of the tourist category temporary importation regime to extend their temporary import certificates for the authorized period of their immigration status established by the General Directorate of Immigration and Foreigners (Guideline DGA-005-2020 of March 24th, 2020) Scope: The extension will apply to land, air or water vehicles,…