- Overview: Costa Rica
- Global PEO and payroll
- Global HR Compliance
- Work permit for hiring expats via PEO
- Expand without a company set up
- Contractor vs. employee: which is better?
Global PEO and Payroll in Costa Rica
As you expand your business operations into new countries, it is essential to understand that each expansion is its unique challenge. Various factors, such as local and home country laws, the type of activities undertaken, and your company’s goals and risk tolerance will dictate your compliance obligations and budget. By carefully considering all of these elements, you can ensure a successful expansion into any new market.
Global Employment Challenges and Pitfalls to Avoid
When you’re hiring a staff to work overseas, some challenges come with that far beyond the nuts and bolts of finding and vetting candidates. These challenges are often overlooked by companies when they think only of locally-hired employees, but can have extreme consequences for businesses who employ people internationally.
Why is this? Because if you’re not careful, you might find yourself unwittingly breaking one employment law regulation or another in your new country. This could lead to fines, other legal issues, and negative public exposure for your brand. It’s not just about being bad for your business, though; it’s also about being bad for the people who work in your company.
Employment Taxes
There are many different types of taxes that businesses have to pay, but employment taxes are one of the most important. These taxes can vary significantly from country to country and can be a large portion of a monthly salary.
In-country Employee Registration
It is essential to ensure that employees are properly registered with the local authorities before they start work. Failing to do so can result in penalties for both the employee and the employer.
Payroll Calculations: Country-specific Requirements
In many countries, payroll calculations vary significantly. For example, employees in some countries may receive a 13th and 14th-month salary halfway through the year or at Christmas as standard. Thus, it’s important to be aware of the payroll practices in your country of employment.
Some countries have different rules when it comes to employment contracts. To avoid any surprises, it is crucial to understand how payroll calculations work in your new country. In some cases, you may be responsible for paying your employees for the entire duration of their contract even if they are not performing as expected or you want to end their employment early. This can be a financial shock to foreign employers who are not used to this practice.
For this reason, it is essential to ensure that you review and understand the terms of the employee’s contract before hiring them, so you know what to expect.
End of Financial Year Reporting
The financial year for many countries ends in March and companies that have a presence in more than one country need to produce financial reports for each country and send them to the relevant government bodies. With the end of the financial year approaching, accountants are busy at work preparing reports, some of which can be complex and difficult to navigate through as they may be on foreign websites with little or no English language support. It is important that you get these reports lodged on time as it could result in late payment penalties.
A lot of these reports need to be completed in the local language, so it is recommended that you use an accountant specializing in the country you are based in to ensure compliance before lodgement deadlines.
This is the reason why many companies outsource payroll management to a global Professional Employer Organization (PEO) as they have experts with deep knowledge of local labor laws and tax regulations in each jurisdiction. In such cases, a Global PEO will ensure compliance with local employment and tax requirements.
Local Employment Contracts Compliance
As an employer, it is crucial to have local employment contracts that are compliant with the law of the jurisdiction in which your employees work. These contracts should be provided in both English and the local language. Do not simply copy and paste your existing contract template from your home country – this could result in non-compliance and serious legal consequences.
When recruiting employees for your business, it is critical to ensure that their employment contract is appropriate for the country where they will be working. A Spanish employment contract may not be valid in Latin America, simply because they are both Spanish-speaking countries.
The language of the employment contract is a crucial detail to keep in mind during the recruitment process, as non-compliance to target country employment laws or any mistakes with the paperwork could cost you money, time, and potentially your business’s reputation.
Employment Contract Termination
The employment termination process can be just as important as the hiring process. This part of employment should not be taken lightly as it can have many implications and consequences, both for the employer and the employee. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider all aspects of the situation before making a decision.
The start of the termination process begins when the employee signs the employment contract. If the termination guidelines are clear and precise from the terminating an employee will be much smoother.
When setting out the terms of employment, it is important to be clear about the notice period (making sure it’s aligned with the country-specific regulations), and what is expected in terms of returning company equipment and a credit card or cash float balance. Non-compete clauses protecting your intellectual property are also important considerations. Doing so will help avoid misunderstandings and potential legal problems down the road.
If an employer does not have clear procedures for the termination in their employment contract, they may face litigation. If an employee feels they have been mistreated, they may become disgruntled and contest the termination legally. This can be costly and difficult, especially if the dispute is in another country with a different time zone and language.
What is a Global PEO?
If you’re looking for a way to outsource some of the more tedious aspects of running a business, then a Professional Employment Organization, or PEO, may be right. A PEO can serve as a liaison between your company and its employees, assuming responsibility for HR-related functions such as payroll, taxes, and benefits administration. A global PEO can be a valuable partner in helping your business succeed. Partnering with a PEO can free up your time and energy to focus on more strategic goals, like growing your business.
Simplifying Global Employment with a Professional Employment Organization
There are many things that can go wrong when you try to find employment overseas. Acumen International can help you navigate these challenges, but it is important to be aware of the potential obstacles you may face.
As a Global PEO, our role is to enable organizations to quickly and easily hire employees in any country. We take care of all the employment-related details so that our clients can focus on their business goals. However, if candidates are unhappy at any stage, the whole arrangement can fail.
When making the decision to move abroad for work, your selected candidates consider a number of factors. The visa and work permit process complexities, currency fluctuations, lifestyle choices and family considerations can all impact their final decision.
As a PEO, we understand that when expanding your business globally, it’s vital to put your employees’ needs first. Considering the impact that this move will have on their lives, it’s important to think outside the box and make sure they are comfortable and supported every step of the way.
“It has become critical for organizations to have an understanding of applicable laws and regulations concerning issues such as minimum wages and benefits, employment standards, immigration and labor relations in each location. A Global PEO can play an important role in helping organizations navigate this complex global employment landscape through offering reliable and country-specific solutions and expert advice on matters related to compliance,” says Nick Ganzha, CEO and founder at Acumen International.
Acumen Global PEO and payroll can help you solve the hard puzzle of global employment. As a Global PEO partner, we help businesses meet all of their HR needs while also handling compliance issues that are specific to the international arena. By offering comprehensive global employment solutions and reality checks about the compliance aspects of employing staff across the globe, we can be an important resource for your in-house HR and Management teams.
Acumen International – Your Single Point of Truth and Global Employment PEO & Payroll Solutions Provider in Costa Rica
- 100 % compliant, quick, easy market entry. Acumen Global PEO is your local legal entity, helping you reduce the cost and time associated with incorporating.
- Immediate global employment service coverage in 190 countries
- Both a single point of contact and a dedicated account manager for your project for all target countries.
- Compliant and secure global employment operations. We help you adhere to all local laws and regulations in 190 countries
- A single contract for all in-country services (employment, immigration, legal, etc.)
- A single PEO provider assumes full responsibility for your international employees in multiple countries
- Payments are made within the UK or to the UK bank company account
- Fully compliant with standardized procedures and reporting systems
- You can delegate to Acumen Global PEO all HR responsibilities Payroll & benefits administration, background checks, and HR helpdesk
- Standard payroll breakdowns for all target countries
- As soon as we receive your request for a project in any country, we will send you a payroll breakdown and offer within two working hours
- Full 100% fee money-back guarantee for the employee or contractor payment delays.
- Tailored and 100% compliant employment contract drafts
- With Acumen in your corner, you can quickly and easily onboard and compensate your employees without risk of legal repercussions
- Acumen Global PEO protects your company’s Intellectual Property rights.
Acumen International is here to help, from payroll and tax management to social security disbursements and immigration services. We’ll give you the peace of mind you need and reduce your company’s legal costs by 50% or more.
With Acumen in your corner, you can quickly and easily onboard and compensate your employees without risk of legal repercussions.
| Our Global PEO&Payroll | Client | |
|---|---|---|
| Employment risks mitigation |  |
 |
| Tax compliance & payroll processing | |
|
| Incorporation costs | |
no need for own entities |
| Effort | 90% | 10% |
| Coverage | 190 countries | 190 countries |
Adaptability: The New Competitive Advantage a PEO Can Offer
Are you looking for qualified talent in your industry, but don’t want to go through the hassle of setting up your own legal entity in Costa Rica? Look no further!
Acumen International global PEO and EOR services can help you do just that, by providing faster access to qualified talent in your industry. Our PEO and EOR services can help you get a presence in Costa Rica quickly and easily without having to worry about compliance with labor and tax regulations.
Here are 10 scenarios when this could be the case
- You have hired an employee, but you’re not happy with your current employment service provider.
- You’ve decided to hire an independent contractor instead of a full-time employee, but you’re not sure if you’re complying with local laws and regulations.
- You are currently looking to improve the quality of your employment services.
- You can no longer afford to maintain a full legal operation via own entity in the target country.
- You have a temporary project or one that doesn’t require you to open a legal entity in the target country.
- You need to hire a foreign workforce for your new project.
- If you want to expand your business, you will need a mix of local and foreign employees. Those who are familiar with the local market will be able to help reduce the learning curve.
- You are looking for a partner that will allow you to expand your business by hiring locally experienced employees. This will give you the ability to tap into a wealth of knowledge and experience that can help you grow your business.
Difference between a Global EOR and a PEO. Employment Risk Mitigation Strategy
When expanding your business into new countries, there are many benefits to using a global PEO (Professional Employment Organization) or EOR (Employer of Record). A global PEO or an EOR is an alternative to hiring your employees via an in-country legal entity. Instead of hiring your employees, you contract with a global employment solutions provider to hire and manage them for you.
A Global PEO and EOR Partners can handle all the immigration, hiring, payroll, tax, and HR compliance for you, freeing up your time to focus on other aspects of running your business. And if you ever need to leave the country, you can do so without being tied down by any long-term commitments.
However, both global PEOs and EORs work differently. So, it’s important to understand the differences between the two, so you can find the right one for your needs.
The main difference between a global EOR and a PEO is how they hire the workers. A global PEO assigns employees to the client company for employment so that it can replace the clients in their duties of hiring and managing the employees. The PEO is not a direct employer on paper. An EOR, on the other hand, is an employer of record in the country of business. They hire and terminate employees on behalf of the client company.
| PEO | EOR | |
| Employment Model | Co-employer | Sole Employer |
| Key Services | Global employment, payroll, benefits, immigration (visa, work permits), mobility | Global employment, payroll, benefits, immigration (visa, work permits), mobility |
| Local Entity Establishment | Required | Optional |
| Liability | Shares responsibilities and liabilities | Assumes all responsibilities and liabilities |
| Legal Advice | Optional | Required |
| Global Labour & HR Compliance | Optional | Required |
What Services Can a Global PEO Provide in Costa Rica?
The expert team at a global PEO partner usually provides strategic guidance and a wide array of high-quality, cost-effective services tailored to your specific requirements that can help your company grow and scale up safely. Here are some of them:
- Human resources administration, including payroll, taxes, and benefits administration; employee training and development; recruitment; employee relations; compliance training; background or education checks; timekeeping services;
- Regulatory compliance assistance, including payroll tax law and reporting requirements;
- IP protection and offboarding;
- Hiring and HR compliance services, helping you navigate local regulations and avoid prohibited HR practices, including discriminatory job listings, Illegal criminal background checks, misclassified workforce, inaccurate payroll, and tax payments;
- Human resource support;
- End-to-end talent management, including recruiting, onboarding, engagement, performance management, and termination (upon employer approval);
- Liaison with legal counsel on employment issues such as discrimination, wrongful termination, sexual harassment, whistleblower protection, non-compete agreements, severance agreements, and other employment law matters.
Global Payroll Calculator: Accurate Global Employment Cost Estimation
When hiring employees and contractors across the globe, you may not be choosing the most cost-effective and business-friendly country.
- Do you know which country is the most cost-effective place to hire employees?
- What are the costs of entity establishment and legal representation?
- What are the payroll costs and management fees?
- What are your ongoing annual tax compliance costs?
- Are you fully aware of banking implications?
- Did you know that labour laws and hidden costs could make your company less efficient when choosing a country to run your business?
- Did you know that there could be a more cost-effective country to hire employees in and save up to 50%?
- How to hire international teams without setting up a local entity?
This is because countries have different labor laws, compliance, and tax regulations. What if, instead of limiting your company’s international expansion by cutting through the jungle of local regulatory compliance, tax, labor, and immigration requirements, you could have all the information of 190 countries at your fingertips?
The Global Payroll Calculator is built by Acumen International to help businesses understand the compliance requirements for conducting business in a new country. Acumen’s research team tracks developments in 190 countries around the globe. It provides up-to-date data on local regulations related to tax, payroll regulations, benefits, hiring practices, compliance requirements, and other labor-related factors that impact an employer’s bottom line. This valuable information makes the Global Payroll Calculator an invaluable tool for businesses looking to expand internationally.
Global Payroll Calculator helps companies reduce labor costs by providing up-to-date information on hiring, compensation, and tax requirements. It is also an ideal tool for quickly locating employees in any country.
International Global Payroll and Taxation in Costa Rica
Employment related taxes
Income taxes on individuals in Costa Rica are levied on local income irrespective of nationality and resident status.
For individuals domiciled in Costa Rica, any income obtained within the boundaries of Costa Rica is considered as Costa Rican-source income and is taxable. Costa Rican-source income is understood to be any income derived from assets used, goods located, or services rendered within Costa Rican territory.
Non-residents are liable only for the applicable withholding taxes (WHTs), depending on the nature of the local income.
The Costa Rican tax system is based on the principle of territoriality, according to which any business activity in Costa Rica is subject to income taxation on local income in the same way as a registered business, irrespective of the place of incorporation. Such corporations doing business in Costa Rica are subject to the permanent establishment (PE) rules.
Under the Costa Rican Income Tax Law, income from transactions carried out abroad may be regarded as non-Costa Rican-source income and then not subject to income taxes.
It is important to bear in mind that Costa Rican income tax applies to those incomes considered as directly related to the economic structure of the country. This does not strictly relate to economic activity inside Costa Rica, but provides a wider concept of territoriality.
13th salary in Costa Rica
The only mandated bonus in Costa Rican private labor law is the Christmas Bonus, typically called aguinaldo.24 This bonus is the equivalent of 1/12th of all the salary received during the period ranging from December 1 of one calendar year to November 30 of the next, or the equivalent, if the employee did not work all months during this period.
Disclaimer: Any of the above information is subject to changes imposed by Costa Rican laws. To get the latest updates on taxation in Costa Rica and in 190 countries worldwide, contact Acumen’s team of global employment experts.
