Category Archives: Blog

Newsflash: Luxury houses tax (solidary tax)

This tax, known as ISO, is a levy imposed on residential properties whose construction value and fixed installations exceed ₡143,000,000 (approximately US$286,000). The tax return must be filed every three years through the Tax Administration’s electronic system. If you filed the return in 2025, you will only be required to make the payment. However, if […]

Newsflash: New Income Tax Brackets for Fiscal Year 2026

On December 5, 2025, Executive Decree No. 45333-H was published, updating the brackets that will apply to income tax during fiscal year 2026, as detailed below: Salary Tax Tax Brackets Tax Percentage a) Up to ₡918,000 0% b) Over ₡918,000 and up to ₡1,347,000 10% c) Over ₡1,347,000 and up to ₡2,364,000 15% d) Over […]

Business Law Perspectives – November 28 to December 5, 2025

BLP’s summary of the most important regional news and opportunities offers an overview of the economic, social, and political landscape of Central America at a glance. Costa Rica Costa Rica accelerates its economic growth to 5.2% The Costa Rican economy grew 5.2% in the third quarter of 2025, driven mainly by the special regime (+19.6%) […]

Newsflash: Law for the Facilitation of Tax Refund Compliance

The Congress of the Republic of Guatemala has approved Decree Number 17-2025, the Law for the Facilitation of Tax Refund Compliance (hereinafter, the “Decree”), a comprehensive reform aimed at modernizing, streamlining, and organizing procedures for the refund and reimbursement of tax credits, primarily related to Value Added Tax (VAT). The Decree introduces fiscal and administrative […]

BLP advises IDB Invest on a US$20 million regional electric mobility financing for the Kaufmann Group

BLP advised IDB Invest as lead counsel in connection with a US$20 million senior secured, uncommitted revolving import finance facility granted to subsidiaries of the Kaufmann Group in Costa Rica and Peru to support the introduction and scaling of electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, charging infrastructure, and related equipment in both jurisdictions. The facility, structured […]

New Opportunities in Public-Private Partnerships in Guatemala

On the night of November 25, 2025, two-thirds of the Congress of the Republic approved Decree 21-2025, which amends the Law on Partnerships for the Development of Economic Infrastructure (Decree 16-2010). This legislation governs Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in Guatemala. With these reforms: The approval process for PPP contracts is streamlined by removing from congressional approval […]

Guatemala’s Anti-Gang Law

The Congress of the Republic has enacted Decree 11-2025, a comprehensive reform that transforms Guatemala’s criminal legal framework, aiming to more effectively combat gangs, maras, and transnational criminal organizations. While these provisions are primarily intended to target criminal structures, businesses must pay close attention, as the new criminal offenses and control measures also seek to […]

Business Law Perspectives – November 21–27, 2025 Edition

BLP’s summary of the most important regional news and opportunities offers an overview of the economic, social, and political landscape of Central America at just a click away. Costa Rica Costa Rica promotes aviation growth with new developments at Juan Santamaría Airport Costa Rica is moving forward on its airport modernization with two new projects […]

Newsflash: New MEM Guideline Marks the Start of Progressive Biofuel Integration

The Ministry of Energy and Mines of Guatemala (MEM) issued Agreement No. 359-2025/SG, which establishes the procedure for implementing the blended fuel alcohol program. This measure is part of the policy that will enable the State of Guatemala to progressively implement the commercial use of biofuel. Under this Agreement, the percentages are set as follows […]

Newsflash: Regulatory Updates – November 2025

Executive Decree No. 45224-S establishes the procedure for simplified sanitary registration by notification and third-party import authorization for low-risk processed foods and cosmetics, streamlining their commercialization in the country. It also regulates the recognition of registrations, control, and monitoring through the digital platform REGÍSTRELO. The simplified registration applies only to foods listed in Annex I […]