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[quote=”sweikert925″]If I incur a debt to you for $100.00 and I refuse to pay that debt, I have stolen $100.00 from you. That would be no different than if I took $100.00 out of your wallet while you weren’t looking. Some people seem to have a hard time grasping that concept.
And if someone found a way to cheat out of paying his legally due taxes, that is no different than someone who cheats to gain some government benefit – say Social Security Disability. Those 2 people are both cheats and thieves. Some people seem to have a hard time grasping that concept too.
So this news that governments are finally cracking down on thieves and cheats should be welcome news to honest taxpayers. I certainly feel that way. I only hope some of the worst offenders are sent to prison as well as being forced to surrender their ill-gotten gains.
I find it puzzling that some of you are on the side of the cheats and thieves. Unless…..[/quote]
Big difference between being a “cheat” and being treated like a cow ripe for the milking. Governments all over the world are now resorting to whatever means necessary to take from the productive people to pay for the promises they made to folks to buy their votes.
Think about Social Securty TAX for a moment. Not a DIME of money was the government’s. I pay 6.2% and my employer pays 6.2%… and for all the years there was a surplus Uncle Sam SPENT EVERY LAST DIME of it on who knows what and left the participants with “Special Bonds” that have no market or exchange value. And when the plan comes crashing down… what then… more “taxes” to fix the last scam? Take the time to read the 2013 SS annual report. It’s a real eye opener! Can’t wait until 2016 when the SSDI fund is depleted. What “New” taxes will come into play then to fix that plan. It’s truly the biggest PONZI SCHEME EVER!!!
I’m guessing you have an Apple product or two in your life… are they tax cheats? Seems they have it all figured out as to how to “minimize” their US tax responsible. Are you then supporting a tax cheat by buying an Apple product?
Taking action to avoid taxes isn’t illegal. Structuring your life to minimize your tax exposure is no different then what every business does out there… and completely legal.
Governments aren’t taking action with these new regulations to crack down on tax cheats…. there are numerous existing laws to do that, that have been used quite successfully to catch some of the largest, wealthiest, and best represented cheats in recent years. They are putting these new requirements in place to make it more difficult for the rest of us to get out of the system! Very soon the ability to use and transfer retirement funds (a big target governments are eyeing) for any purpose that might make it less accessible to Uncle Sam’s grasp will be restricted or revoked.
Step by step your freedoms and rights are being taken away! Wake up!
By the way Steve…. are you looking to bail out of Chi-Town before the bill comes due? Seems between the city and Illinois there is a BIG bill coming due for the taxpayers of Chicago and the state of Illinois very soon! Should you escape before it hits are you a cheat for having enjoyed all the benefits of living there for all these years and bailing out when the bill ultimately comes due and the taxpayers are forced to pony up all that money owed on debts the politicians have been pushing off for all these years to keep buying your votes?
All the more reason to have portable wealth, tangible assets, mobility, and do your best to avoid the system. Having “assets” in the system makes you an easy identifiable target and ripe for the picking.
Just consider all those folks that obtained their residency under the rentista status…. younger folks have had their CAJA payments jump to over $400/ month! CAJA will become a big issue for folks that have felt the need to apply for residency. Because once you’re in you are on the radar.
[quote=”Scott”]IMHO there is no competition….
Segua is the best beer for me in Costa Rica but unfortunately it’s not that easy to find.
The fish restaurant in Avenida Escazu ‘Producto C’ serves it on draft.
You can see a [url=http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/24807/69943/]review of the Segua microbrewery beer here.[/url]
You can read more about the fascinating legend of [url=http://www.gothic.stir.ac.uk/blog/La-Segua-A-Warning-to-Drunk-and-Unfaithful-Men/]La Segua here.[/url]
Hope that helps …
Scott
[img]https://www.welovecostarica.com/public/images/Segua.jpg[/img]
[/quote]
No doubt there are some great microbrewery and craft beers available around CR…. we had a great one up by Lake Arenal. The problem is they don’t see a wide distribution and aren’t usually available in local Tico establishments. But with that said they are a real treat when you do happen to come across them in your travels!
[quote=”bogino”]Are there even any other Costa Rican beers other than Imperial and Bavaria? Personally I like Bavaria Dark.[/quote]
Depends on the night and how many empties I’ll be leaving on the table. 😉
You forgot Pilsen…. popular, but not to my liking!
I normally go with the Imperial with ice and a “lemon”…. hmmmm! Not your classic beer connoisseur choice but the choices are often limited in the small places I like to frequent so having a consistently available standby is comforting!
After watching the video I have to make a couple of observations. If the translation was correct this young man has a good head on his shoulders and knows his stuff. He was very well spoken and prepared. The body language and speech patterns also showed he’s confident and is prepared to move forward with this endeavor.
Could he be a well prepared and trained actor fronting for the Chinese government…. sure! But at first glance I’d say Panama should be very concerned. Then again the monumental engineering and construction tasks as well as the costs could very well end this dream before the first shovel hits the soil. There were a number of false starts and interruptions in the Panama canal project.
As to Scott’s comment… he does seem young… and if I’m not mistaken his incredible “wealth” is the result of a gold mine. And everything is wrapped up in a privately held company with no public history to speak of…. Seems kind of like a Charles Foster Kane story…. that makes you wonder!
[quote=”waggoner41″][quote=”Scott”]Sure! I pay my CAJA payments online every month – I should thank you for reminding me…[/quote]
The next question would be – Is it necessary to have a Costa Rican bank account to make on-line payments?
Having been totally satisfied with arrangements with our U.S. bank we have never opened an account in Costa Rica.[/quote]
Les…. I have to agree with Scott… you’ll need a CR bank account. I use BN and have for a number of years and pay several monthly bills using their internet service. The site is super easy to use and once set up the process of reviewing and paying all your bills takes about 2 minutes!
The only negative I would mention is the requirement to change your password every couple of months.
[quote=”sprite”]I don’t know if this anecdote is significant or even news, but the wife and I were shopping at the farmer’s market in Atenas a few weeks ago and I noticed among all the beautiful, fresh local produce on display, strands of wrapped garlic with country of origin markings of “China.” The vendor explained it is cheaper to pay the import prices than to grow it. I wouldnt be surprised to see this in a super market, but at a farmer’s market?!!![/quote]
The supermarkets are already flooded with Chinese products in CR. And keep in mind that with all the unsafe Chinese products that managed to make it to market in the US before being identified and recalled even with the current regulations and FDA oversight… I’d be VERY concerned with what might be slipping by the regulators watching imports in CR.
China doesn’t want conquests… it want consumers.
[quote=”sweikert925″][quote=”sprite”]… and that Costa Rica is a less secure place?[/quote]
Costa Rica IS a less secure place. I can already hear some of you preparing to scoff but I’ve been to Israel and there are security forces EVERYWHERE. What do you suppose that means to the incidence of crime?
Then there’s [url=http://www.numbeo.com/crime/rankings_by_country.jsp]this website.[/url][/quote]
Last I checked Costa Rica wasn’t surrounded by countries looking to develop nuclear weapons and stating their desire to wipe them off the world map.
And while we’re at it when was the last time a suicide bomber walked into a cafe in Costa Rica and took out a few folks having lunch? Or got on a bus and did the same? Or remind me… when did the last rocket attack occur in Costa Rica?
Seems to me the possibility of REAL insecurity, death, and general destruction is much more likely in Israel.
I’m guessing if every other person walking the street was totting an M-16 or a Uzi the general crime problem in Costa Rica would be about the same as Israel. Or if CR had an Army and required military service and had armed soldiers everywhere things might be different… but then again I don’t think most of us would like to be living in an armed compound of a country hoping not to be in that cafe or on that bus.
BTW… NOT a slap at Israel… just an observation.
[quote=”Kwhite1″]Just my $10.97 Colons worth, could it be, abeit remotley, that the government is kinda tired of the American Gringo and has the mentality that if they insist on continuing to come to OUR paradise, we will exctract every dollar we can from them.
I run onto this consistantly, the latin culture or mentality, is this may be the last chance I may get to take advantage of the gringo so I will get as much as I can, not thinking about tomorrow, next week, or next year.[/quote]
Since tourism is a major portion of Costa Rica’s economy (and getting larger with the recent loss of Intel and BOA)that would be a very dangerous and foolish pursuit. Not that I disagree… Governments have a way of not thinking out things…. That is any issues beyond their next election cycle! The government of CR better get their act together…. SOON!!!
It’s one thing when a beautiful vacation destination has some tourist traps scattered around… you can avoid them. When a whole country becomes a tourist trap trying to milk visitors for every last dime you have a problem!
The car rental issue is a big turn-off for people. The Airport prices are indefensible… hell the prices are lower at JFK in NY. The overall pricing of “adventure/nature” activities including lodging in CR are turning people away.
A marketing campaign or catchy slogan do little to offset the perception people have when they do their research or visit. It’s often the bottom line of cost versus value that people leave with that keeps them coming back or recommending a travel destination to others. While getting fleeced occasionally may not lead to a negative opinion having it be the norm does result in a negative experience. The sore spot for many leaving CR after a visit is the Liberia Airport. The prices and limited options for food or beverages are INSULTING! And correct me if I’m wrong they INTENTIONALLY didn’t install water fountains in the terminal so that you’re held hostage for a $5 bottle of water!
This is NOT the last experience you want folks to have when leaving CR…. unless of course you don’t care if they return or bad mouth your country about their experiences in CR. They should be thanking people, wishing them well, and looking forward to seeing them again… THAT theme goes a long way compared to ALL the slogans and marketing I’ve seen the tourist board coming up with!
When folks can go to Disney in Florida and stay and eat for less you have to take a serious look at your business model. I don’t believe that CR is doing that. The place is still beautiful, but they’re killing (or at least squeezing) the golden goose a little too hard![quote=”costaricabill”][quote=”Scott”]It’s not just Gringos…. We have wealthy Venezuelan clients (thank God for the Venezolanos) who are paying the same amount to the CAJA and more …
[/quote]That’s good for you, but I am confident that when the idea of new taxes comes up in the halls of government, more thoughts go toward getting the money Gringos than Venezolanos, or Columbianos, or Mexicanos, or ……….[/quote]
Sorry guys… When I used the term “gringo” I should have qualified it as any non citizen of CR that is subject to the whim of government for the benefit of residency. That includes our friends from Europe as well as South America. Basically ANYONE the folks running CR see as wealthy and ripe for the picking.
[quote=”jreeves”]If a legal resident wants to drop CAJA without repercussions, you have to formally renounce your residency status by filing with Migracion, then wait for it to be approved (similar process to applying for residency). Once you have the resolution where your residency is cancelled, you can legally unsubscribe from CAJA. Until then, you are liable for whatever CAJA payment accumulates monthly & penalties if you are behind on payments. Once you have the resolution that confirms your residency status is cancelled, you can apply to have a refund of the money you had to deposit that would buy your ticket back home if you were ever expelled from the country. If you are not up to date on your CAJA premiums, my understanding is that you can be denied re-entry to Costa Rica until the premiums are paid in full.
I have a friend going through the process right now. I don’t think it is a quick process.
The CAJA amounts I posted are for new enrollees at this point. We joined CAJA on our own, not through a group plan, & are permanent residents. Our monthly payment is just a little under what the “new” amounts are for permanent residents. However, we’ve seen some pretty hefty increases the last 2 years that occurred in January so I’m expecting another increase in January 2015 that might bring us in line with the “new” premiums.
Jessica[/quote]
Great info! But much like the new tax on corporations there will be many folks that don’t go about resolving or dissolving their affiliation with CAJA the correct way due to cost, ignorance, or the effort involved. For those people the bill will continue to run up leaving them with a debt that CR will seek to collect somehow. So I’m sure they will be put on a watch list at immigration should they go the PT route. It’s also a good bet even those formerly enrolled in CAJA that do separate properly and attempt the PT route will be subject to some type of action.
I’m sure the process of exiting CAJA will take quite a while…. why not… the meter is running and you’re still being forced to pay for a service you no longer want. And even if you stop paying… they don’t care… it’s just a debt they will use as the reason to squeeze you should you exit the country and attempt to return. I’m not sure if I’d describe it as being held hostage or being extorted… neither strikes me as enjoyable or the conduct a progressive government should be engaged in.
A recent experience at immigration tells me they’re looking. Traveling to CR several times a year for the last 9 years has left my passport quite colorful with entry stamps… even thou I have never stayed anywhere near the 90 days I’m permitted. But on quick inspection it looks like I’m a PT…. so it didn’t come as a surprise when the official at the desk asked how long I was staying and only gave me 15 days rather than the normal 90.
CAJA will become a big issue for expats… and the ability to screw with you at immigration will become the hammer to take your money. Besides the recent and future increases this is something anyone considering applying for residency should keep in mind. Once on the radar and paying into CAJA the folks in CR are going to be quite resistant to letting you opt out without there being other ramifications.
[quote=”Kwhite1″][quote=”davidd”][quote=”jreeves”]I forgot to add…
The new CAJA amount for rentista residency is $442 a month if under age 55 and $252 a month if over age 55.
Jessica[/quote]
wow!!! :shock::shock::shock: I am glad I got in when I did as I pay $40 bucks a month for my family
[/quote]
Wow….$442 a month! I guess thats where Barry O got he idea![/quote]
They have to fix CAJA somehow…. why not start by milking rich Gringos that can be held hostage for fear of losing their residency status…. after all they all have money trees in full bloom somewhere!
The next step will be folks giving up their residency status, unable or unwilling to be extorted for these new fees….and going the PT route to stay in CR… I know a few that fall into both categories. But I have a sneaky suspicion that those that do give up or let their status lapse will wind up on an immigration watch list and will be in for some unpleasant surprises when doing the PT shuffle.
[quote=”lyncota”]Greetings from the Caribbean coast!
@sweikert925: Like the views and the persona. Maybe lacking in the style points!
Actually, I have felt for quite a while that the opinions voiced on this site were way too conservative for me. Unlike many of the folks that post here, I am leaving the States not because I disagree with the current state of affairs there, I just want to be someplace warm that’s not Florida. And on the Caribbean coast, there is little need for air conditioning. Just a ceiling fan once in a while. And the Caja…..glad the US in going in that direction. It’s the future, whether you like it or not.[/quote]When you say that the US is going in the direct of the CAJA do you think that’s a good thing? Seems the CAJA in CR has some MAJOR operational and financial issues that are starting to fester. Big problems that can only be solved with MONEY…. the question then becomes WHO’S money? Any social program that promises health, welfare, and safety sounds wonderful on paper… or during a speech… it’s the paying for it part that seems to always get in the way! The future might not be so wonderful… no matter how we feel about it! LOL
Just wondering…. what’s so wrong with Florida?
[quote=”sweikert925″]This thread has something in common with many I participate in – eventually you and others change the subject from whatever it started out as to discussing me. Lately, every discussion has tended to go that way. Hence the Eleanor Roosevelt quote. (Since you didn’t challenge that observation I’m assuming you agree with it.)
It’s easy to tell when someone knows he’s losing an argument – he changes the subject, and if he is really desperate he changes it by getting personal.
I have never – not even once – said or even suggested that I know better than any of you about some aspect of living in Costa Rica. But several have now said [b]exactly that [/b]to me – especially you, who doesn’t even live there himself (!).
In the comments above you even go so far as to speculate about why Costa Rica isn’t the place for me and maybe some other country is. If you think you are more qualified to say what country is most suitable for me to reside in then you should be prepared to explain why.
I happen to think [b]*I*[/b] am the expert in that particular area. Why do you disagree with that?[/quote]
The funny FACT is that this very thread had run it’s course (last posting was a month ago) yet it was YOU that made the choice to resurrect it? That makes one wonder just what goes on in that mind of yours? You seem to thrive on conflict as it seems NOT ONE person seems to side with you on just about every topic discussed here …. including the owner of this forum! Is there a message there perhaps? And a NUMBER of long-term members have completely written you off.
I’m guessing if we took a poll here that most folks would be of the same opinion that your views, style, and persona will not provide a happy or long-term stay in Costa Rica…. no matter what kind of expertise you may think you have in self analysis. Our lives and wellbeing are defined on our interactions with others…. and I don’t see that as a strong point in your situation.
I know guys…. wasting quarters…. but since I’m a better saver and investor and don’t gamble….I had to waste my pocket change somewhere! LOL
