Includes updated news on the following issues:

a) Legislation

Tax Legislation is continuously changing. Therefore, it is essential to any company to have updated information on the diverse legislative changes that take place. The Bulletin includes all revisions done in the field, thus allowing the reader a general vision of what is going on in the tax legislation.

b) By-Laws

As a necessary complement to tax law, by-laws are meant to execute, organize or render a service. Due to the ongoing changes that affect tax legislation, to have first hand information on tax rulings is a must to any enterprise. The Bulletin informs about these issues, so the reader has a complete view of the current tax dynamics.

c) Administrative Decisions

In Costa Rica, according to article 99 of the "Código de Normas y Procedimientos Tributarios" (Code of Tax Rulings and Procedures), the General Tax Administration Office (Administración Tributaria) is empowered to rule general principles that will convey in an adequate application of the law. The Bulletin includes tax authorities newest resolutions as well as any variation or implementation of the Tax Administration Office's opinions.

d) Unconstitutional Rulings

In this country, the Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional (Constitutional Aplication Law) permits the Constitutional Court to suspend the application of any ruling considered unconstitutional until the Court has reached a decision. The Bulletin includes information about the current laws, statutes and rulings affected by the Court's final judgment and its whereas clauses.

d) Relevant Decisions of the Constitutional Court

Decisions of the Constitutional Court are considered of mandatory application erga onmes (to all) except for the Court itself. Therefore, a good interpretation of the constitutional legislation, in regards to tax laws, is a plus for any contributor. The Bulletin provides complete information concerning tax decisions of the Constitutional Court. In order to have a clear picture of the decisions and case law references used by the Court, the reader may look up for more information in this section.

e) Decisions of the Civil Court

Whereas the Constitutional Court deals with the correct application and interpretation of the Constitution, the Civil Court must ensure a correct interpretation of all civil laws. Therefore, the law of precedent of the Civil Court is essential in complementing the rulings of the Constitutional Court. The Bulletin includes complete information concerning tax decisions made by the Civil Court.

f) Relevant decisions of the Fiscal Administrative Court (Tribunal Fiscal Administrativo)

This administrative office functions as a Tribunal in three diferent ways. First, it settles tax issues between the parties before they go on trial, therefore; a long term judicial dispute may be avoided. Second, its decisions serve as guidelines for the parties in order to solve certain future tax disputes. Finally, the Tribunal can reverse the enforcement of ilegal by-laws, opinions, agreements and/or decisions. In order to acquaint the reader with the criterion held by this office, the Bulletin includes information regarding the most relevant decisions of the Fiscal Administrative Court.

UPDATED NEWS

Any time new issues concerning taxes are published in the official newspaper (La Gaceta), Bulletin readers will have the information posted the same day.