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I just paid my marchamo, 6 Jan 15 and the fine , if any is very small. I tried to pay yesterday but there was no system and lots of late people. This was at the INS agency in Alajuela. The whole process took less tan 2 hrs.
[quote=”costaricafinca”]The fine is approx $100, if not paid by Dec 31st. You can still pay it, at the local BCR or INS office.[/quote]
[quote=”costaricafinca”]CRB, I would suggest you go to [i]migracion[/i] in person, this week [u]before[/u] everything closes for the holidays…:roll:[/quote]
Truer words were never spoken………..migración may have a problem with your paperwork or everything has been lost or misplaced. Some things in Costa Rica can only be straightened out in person (sometimes)
This is a quote from todays AM Costa Rica “In some cases, expats are seeing a 10-fold increase in municipal taxes. One expat saw his annual taxes go from $220 to $2,200.”
Is this great journalism, or what? Or maybe, a tax cheat got caught and doesn’t like it. I thought that The Tico Times was the trumpet of truth but AMCR is running a good second.
[quote=”Imxploring”][quote=”sweikert925″][quote=”Imxploring”]There’s an interesting article in AMCOSTARICA this morning about some rather large increases in property taxes here in CR…. can’t wait to see where mine are headed in January. [/quote]
As the article made [b]quite[/b] clear (but which you conveniently forgot to mention in your comment), the increases are due to better information on the true value of the property. I’m sure your not linking to the actual AM Costa Rica article was just an oversight and not a deliberate attempt to misstate what the facts are so I will rectify that by [url=http://www.amcostarica.com/]linking to it myself.[/url]What the CR government effort means is that some have vastly underpaid their taxes and now that will cease to be the case. I call that a step in the right direction toward fairness and a much better approach than raising taxes on those who are already paying what they really owe.
Costa Rica is not a high tax country. Neither is the US. Based on [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_tax_revenue_as_percentage_of_GDP#cite_note-1]figures compiled for 2012 by the Heritage Foundation[/url] (a right wing source, so you righties should have no cause to complain about bias). Costa Rica collects 21.0% of it’s GDP in taxes. That puts them just below the average of 22.0% worldwide. Costa Rica is tied with Chile and Uzbekistan for 84th highest taxed (out of 176) on the list, and the US is tied with South Africa for 60th. The US is higher than average – 26.9% – but lower than any other developed country except South Korea and Australia, and MUCH lower than most. (And yes, that US figure includes taxes at all levels, not just at the national level.)
Of course, my posting facts and using logic and reason won’t matter to some of you. To them, any tax rate higher than 0.0% is cause for grumbling, bitching and whining. They enjoy a good tax rant the same way I enjoy listening to music by Bach, eating lasagna or making mosaic artwork. Some simply seem to get pleasure in doing that. Everyone needs a hobby, I guess.
[/quote]I’m surprised you didn’t use your previous “source”…. wasn’t it the CIA “fact” book? And didn’t we come to conclusion that the “facts” we’re far from useful in making a comparison or the point you were trying to make by presenting them?
You’ve made it a point of comparing tax rates…. but NOT the services offered for those payments? Wouldn’t any comparison have to include the services and quality of such services to have any meaning or value?
Once again… internet google knowledge which on it’s face (copy and paste research doesn’t really cut it) looks impressive is nothing without true quantitative analysis of the data. Pure tax rates mean nothing if the value derived from them by the payer is not evaluated. The information you’ve brought to the table is really not relative in making your point as to whether or not folks in CR feel they are getting their monies worth for the taxes they’re being asked to pay.
As to the point of people being nothing more than complainers… the real estate taxes I pay on my homes in NY are reasonable. The value I derive I feel is reasonable for the cost. Should my taxes in CR go up 10 fold…. I would find that quite unreasonable. Subjective perhaps but my opinion… others might feel (based once again on raw tax rates) that what I pay in NY are quite unreasonable… until they saw the value of the services provided.[/quote]
Here is a little trick you can try that I learned from the campesinos if all else fails. I know it is not an eco friendly solution but neither is Mirex or Zompex. Find the little buggers main entrance to the nest, pour in an appropriate amount of gasolina. (depending on the size of the condo) and pour a little trail away from the área, wait a couple of minutes and touch it off. You can hear the whoosh of the explosión and see little puffs of smoke from the back exits. That should fry all of them.
Problem solved.[quote=”costaricafinca”]At a friends home in Naranjo over the weekend, it was a sorry sight to see what the cutter ants have done, over the past few months, to their garden. All their many and long established croton shrubs have been ‘eliminated'(which up until now i have never seen targeted) plus many other ornamentals including various species of heliconias, bougainvillea etc. Their [i]Tico[/i] gardener has tried many suggested and proven solutions, that haven’t worked.[/quote]
[I have been a permanet resident for many years and worked here for all that time. I paid into CCSS or caja for most of my employment (about 80% or so) and ended up with 267 quotas (months) at the age of almost 63. I recive a IVM pension deposit every month and get free caja care. Hard to believe but my CR pension is more than my US pension. So Jessica, maybe your husband will get something back if you stay here long enough and if the políticos don’t spend it all. However, I have to pay US tax on this money which doesen’t make me very happy.
quote=”jreeves”]My husband is paying into the pension program with our CAJA payments but we’re only 40 so we have quite a bit of time to go before we find out if he will actually collect it!
Jessica[/quote]
[quote=”sweikert925″]If the point of some of these anecdotes is to prove that crime happens in Costa Rica, all I can say is did anyone previously believe that it didn’t? Doesn’t crime happen everywhere that there are human beings present?
I think that the point that readers are making is that crime in Costa Rica is on the rise as is the increase in the number of drug related incidents. The local news certainly seems to indicate this but who knows what the real stats will show.
Thanx Scott
Thanks Scott
I thought I was going to have to “comment” on some negativity expressed on this thread about CR and the World Cup but luckily I see it has been moderated. Must be sad to live under a dark cloud. “We Love Costa Rica” doesn’t seem the place for such comments. Maybe Chile would be better for all.
[quote=”Scott”][quote=”sueandchris”]Wankers…..LOVE that word! Wonder if Scott is a little torn on this World Cup! All my friends here in the States have been cheering along with me for Costa Rica….PURA VIDA![/quote]
It makes me feel good to see you here again Sue… I hope all is well with you.
I am certainly not “torn” 🙂 I used to box, swim and play rugby/cricket competitvely at school and in the Royal Marine Commandos but have never had any interest in being a ‘fan’ or watching any sport.
I’m continually amazed at the ‘passion’ that so many people have for watching sports but it’s not for me …
Scott
[/quote][quote=”davidd”][quote=”bogino”]On another [b]IMPRESSIVE[/b] World Cup victory today.
I hope they can keep it up. :D:D[/quote]
I agree.. the excitment is in the air..[/quote]
It appears that FIFA can’t accept the fact that Costa Rica was able to defeat two of their favorites so they called in the anti-doping pólice. Seven Costarican urine samples were taken and only two from the Italians. Did you see the clear penalty that wasn’t awarded to CR when Campbell was dumped in the box? Once again we see that the money is more important than the game. Sure hope that the tests come back negative and they beat the Brits!!!! Love the vibes………..
[quote=”davidd”][quote=”orcas0606″]Willy or willies, and I thought, “I’m from the government and I’m here to help” was scary!!! For those who read Spanish, or have a translator, check out the editorial in todays La Nación. Expats aren’t the only ones concerned.[/quote]
orca
do you happen to have that article snippet??
thanks[/quote]
Hope this copy will be legible……….
EDITORIAL
Confuso planteamiento de la DIS
La Dirección de Inteligencia y Seguridad Nacional (DIS) es una fuente constante de escándalos, todos relacionados con las materias más sensibles para las sociedades democráticas. La Constitución y las leyes son pródigas en la protección de los derechos humanos y políticos, pero, con demasiada frecuencia, la DIS se ha apartado de esos lineamientos.
El Partido Acción Ciudadana (PAC), como también este periódico, sugirieron en más de una oportunidad prescindir del cuerpo de inteligencia, muchas veces confundido con una Policía política. La DIS funciona a las órdenes del Ministerio de la Presidencia, sin la supervisión legislativa aplicada a los cuerpos de inteligencia en otras naciones democráticas. Opera en secreto y muchos de sus agentes no tienen el compromiso de la dedicación exclusiva.
Tampoco tiene limitaciones para actuar en territorio nacional y, en consecuencia, espía a ciudadanos costarricenses sin cuentas con la justicia. Periodistas, sindicalistas y políticos de todas las tendencias se cuentan entre los investigados, sin más motivo que la sospecha. En suma, la institución ha probado ser una amenaza para las libertades públicas y los derechos fundamentales.
Para paliar los escándalos y evitar el cierre, el Poder Ejecutivo, en varias Administraciones, ofrece, una y otra vez, la reforma integral de la agencia para restringir sus labores a la recopilación de inteligencia legítima, obtenida con estricto apego a la ley y útil para la preservación de la seguridad nacional.
El Gobierno promete elaborar un proyecto de ley para aclarar las funciones de la DIS como agencia recolectora de información. Ojalá que el texto aclare las confusas y contradictorias manifestaciones iniciales
Llegado al poder, el PAC abandona su posición tradicional y se suma a la lista de proponentes de reformas, pero el primer esbozo del cambio es confuso y preocupante. “Un ciudadano de bien no tiene absolutamente ningún motivo por el cual temerle a la DIS. El que ande en malos pasos, tiene todos los motivos del mundo para temerle a la DIS”, declaró Mariano Figueres Olsen, nuevo jefe de la agencia, quien la concibe como un instrumento para erradicar la corrupción.Pero Costa Rica cuenta con policías judiciales y administrativas para enfrentar el delito y son los tribunales los encargados de determinar quiénes andan “en malos pasos”. Esos cuerpos policiales funcionan mediante agentes profesionales, sometidos a la ley en sus actuaciones y supervisados por los despachos correspondientes. La Policía del Ministerio de la Presidencia, no importa quien gobierne, no ofrece las mismas garantías.
Frente a esa realidad, Figueres promete: “No vamos a usar a la DIS para sacarnos clavos entre un Gobierno y otro, entre un partido y otro. Queremos que eso nunca se vuelva a dar”, y añade: “la DIS no es una Policía represiva que detenga a nadie, la DIS es un cuerpo de investigación, de inteligencia del Estado. Nosotros no podemos hacer ninguna escucha, no podemos hacer nada que no sea por orden de un juez. No vamos a hacer absolutamente nada de persecución, no vamos a hacer cacería de brujas, pero sí vamos a ayudar para que en el país haya justicia”.
Esa es, precisamente, la tarea encomendada a la Corte Suprema de Justicia, al Organismo de Investigación Judicial y, en materia de prevención, a la Fuerza Pública. El papel de la DIS en procura de “justicia” no queda claro ni justifica la existencia de la institución, habiendo otras encargadas del mismo fin en un marco legal mucho más elaborado y seguro.
Las labores de inteligencia y resguardo de la seguridad nacional, si el Gobierno las considerara indispensables, no guardan relación alguna con el propósito de “erradicar la corrupción”, “hacer justicia” o identificar a quienes “andan en malos pasos”. Para justificar la intervención de la DIS en esos ámbitos haría falta una definición demasiado amplia de “inteligencia” y “seguridad nacional”. Esa definición colocaría a la DIS al margen de la ley.
El Gobierno promete elaborar un proyecto de ley para aclarar las funciones de la DIS como agencia recolectora de información. Ojalá que el texto aclare las confusas y contradictorias manifestaciones iniciales.
La promesa de plantearlo es, por ese motivo, una tarea urgente
Willy or willies, and I thought, “I’m from the government and I’m here to help” was scary!!! For those who read Spanish, or have a translator, check out the editorial in todays La Nación. Expats aren’t the only ones concerned.
It really is a huge undertaking for Nicaragua or any other country for that matter but maybe Eden Pastora can move his dredge, “ALBA DE NICARAGUA” when he is finished on the Rio San Juan. This is just another attempt to distract the Nicaraguan people from their misery. Probably the only winners will be Danny Boy, Rosario and maybe a few Chineese guys. Smells like a huge scam to me.
No matter how you spin it the departure of Intel is NOTHING but bad news for Costa Rica. 1500 professional or semi professional technicians on the street looking for work is a problem. I think the whole facility will be gone in a few years and that’s 4% of GDP. I’m not in the chicken little group but I see some serious consecuences in the near future. Blame savage capitalism (Asian slave labor) Intel’s lack of vision or the Costa Rican government’t insane fiscal policies if you will. Also maybe Intel is worried about the future plans of the PAC. Bad economic times will deteriorate the quality of life FOR ALL in CR, even for EXPATS
Four years ago I had a stone lodged in my ureter that was too big to break up or pass. I had it removed by uretheroscopy, kinda scary for a man, in the Hospital Metropolitan (certainly nor Cima but adequate) and my total cost was $2500 (médico and hospital),general anethesia, no pain and home in four hours. I can send the Drs. name and # by privare message. Don’t want to compete with Dr. Max.
Over the hill, aged rock groups and not always good groups or well known groups seem to do quite well in Costa Rica for some reason. I really enjoyed the Beatles in the 60s but those days are long gone for me. Where is the draw……my age group or younger fans??? Maybe their egos just won’t let them give it up. Paul really can’t need the money!!!
quote=”sweikert925″][quote=”bogino”]Think back to superstars from say the ’70’s or ’80’s that would fill entire stadiums and now they can barely fill a small engagement at the local summer county fair. [/quote]
Well we’ll shortly have an opportunity to test that very theory. Either McCartney’s show will get a good crowd when he performs in CR or he won’t. My guess is that he will get considerably better than a number that can “barely fill a small engagement at the local summer county fair”.
[url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest-grossing_concert_tours]Here[/url] is a link that may lend something to the conversation. Keith Richards and Mick Jagger are both 70. But I guess since they’re a year younger than Sir Paul that makes all the difference LOL[/quote]The Biesanz family has lived in a gringo enclave in the Quepos area for quite some time. I know that Mavis was a very bright person and her son Barry does nice work with Costa Rican hardwoods. Her main area of study and publishing was in the social sciences. Here is a short review of [i]”The Ticos”[/i] Review: The Ticos: Culture and Social Change in Costa Rica
User Review – Goodreads
An interesting mix of both personal experience and scholarship, it’s a good overview of all aspects of Costa Rican culture. A bit of an expat point of view, but some good understanding. The Biesanz family even has a beach named after them in Quepos.
I think is better to rely on Ticos to explain themselves even tho Constantino was born and educated in Spain. “Nadie conoció mejor el alma tica que Constantino Láscariz”
