Finance Ministry will continue taxing Internet purchases

It’s final: Residents in Costa Rica will be required to pay taxes on purchases made online. This was the word from the Finance Ministry, despite a recommendation by the Ombudsman’s Office to exempt online shopping from taxes.

Finance Vice Minister Álvaro Ramos said in a press release that items free from taxation include “those sent by a friend or relative from another country to Costa Rica, for personal enjoyment and not exceeding $500” in a six-month period.

The day before the U.S. shopping holiday known as “Black Friday,” in late November, the Finance Ministry reported that all online shopping would be taxed, although exemptions were applied in previous years.