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Costa Rica

Americas

E-invoicing

Status
Mandatory
Format
XML electronic invoice with standardized data messages (“Mensaje Hacienda” and “Mensaje Receptor”) and digital signature by accredited Certificate Authority.
Infrastructure
Virtual Tax Authority Portal (ATV) operated by DGT; real-time validation within ~3 hours; rejection requires correction
Model
Clearance-style with optional recipient acceptance message (within 8 days).

E-reporting

Status
Real-time invoice-level reporting inherent via clearance model; no separate VAT return needed for each transaction.
Format
Same XML DGT messages as invoicing.
Scope & deadline
Continuous—current transaction submission provides full VAT reporting; version 4.4 enforcement begins Sept 1, 2025.

More info

Costa Rica mandates electronic invoicing (comprobantes electrónicos) for all VAT-registered taxpayers since 2018. The General Directorate of Taxation (DGT) oversees a real-time clearance-like model using XML-based vouchers. Version 4.4 of the system introduces expanded data fields and will become mandatory starting in September 2025.

Tax authority
General Directorate of Taxation (DGT) via the ATV platform.
Archiving period
5 years mandatory for issuers and recipients.
E-signature
Required via digital certificate issued by accredited authority; signed into XML.
Regulation
Initial rollout mandated in 2017–2018; Resolution MH‑DGT‑RES‑0027‑2024 defines format 4.4, with deadline extension to Sept 1, 2025.
Note

We gather our information from government sources and do our best to keep it current. If there are any new updates, we'll make sure to reflect them here as soon as possible.

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