Costa Rica vs Maldives: Income Tax Compared (2026)
Costa Rica vs Maldives: tax rates, brackets, and take-home pay compared side by side.
| Metric |  Costa Rica |  Maldives |
|---|---|---|
| Currency | CRC | MVR |
| Top marginal rate | 25% | 15% |
| Standard deduction | ₡0 | ރ.0 |
| Filing deadline | April 15 | 31 July |
Estimated at $75,000 USD-equivalent income
Costa Rica net income ≈ ₡31,292,650 (18.2% effective rate)
Maldives net income ≈ ރ.75,000 (0.0% effective rate)
Take-home pay compared at four salary levels
Estimated Costa Rica and Maldives income tax on the same four salaries, set in US dollars and converted at approximate fixed reference rates (not live exchange rates). Income tax only: social contributions are not deducted.
| Salary | Costa Rica tax | Costa Rica take-home | Maldives tax | Maldives take-home | Lower effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | ₡988,450 (7.8%) | ₡11,761,550 | ރ.0 (0.0%) | ރ.25,000 | Maldives |
| $50,000 | ₡3,769,850 (14.8%) | ₡21,730,150 | ރ.0 (0.0%) | ރ.50,000 | Maldives |
| $100,000 | ₡10,144,850 (19.9%) | ₡40,855,150 | ރ.0 (0.0%) | ރ.100,000 | Maldives |
| $200,000 | ₡22,894,850 (22.4%) | ₡79,105,150 | ރ.0 (0.0%) | ރ.200,000 | Maldives |
Costa Rica Pros & Cons
- ✓Clear filing deadline: April 15
- ✕Top earners face a marginal rate of up to 25%
- ✕Higher top rate than Maldives by 10.0 points
- ✕Progressive brackets mean higher earners pay a larger share
Maldives Pros & Cons
- ✓Lower top tax rate than Costa Rica (15% vs 25%)
- ✓Clear filing deadline: 31 July
- ✕Top earners face a marginal rate of up to 15%
- ✕Progressive brackets mean higher earners pay a larger share
Frequently asked questions
At $75,000 income, how does take-home pay compare?+
On an estimated $75,000 USD-equivalent income, our calculator shows Costa Rica take-home of roughly ₡31,292,650 (18.2% effective rate) versus Maldives's ރ.75,000 (0.0% effective rate). Use the calculator above with your own income for a personalized estimate.
How much tax would I pay moving from Costa Rica to Maldives?+
On a $75,000 USD-equivalent salary our estimate is an effective income tax rate of 18.2% in Costa Rica and 0.0% in Maldives, so moving from Costa Rica to Maldives, income tax would fall by roughly $13,642 a year. This compares income tax only: social contributions, residency rules, visas and cost of living are not included.
How much tax would I pay moving from Maldives to Costa Rica?+
On a $75,000 USD-equivalent salary our estimate is an effective income tax rate of 0.0% in Maldives and 18.2% in Costa Rica, so moving from Maldives to Costa Rica, income tax would rise by roughly $13,642 a year. This compares income tax only: social contributions, residency rules, visas and cost of living are not included.
Which has the higher top tax rate, Costa Rica or Maldives?+
Costa Rica has the higher top marginal rate at 25%, compared to Maldives's 15%.
What's the standard deduction in each country?+
Costa Rica's estimated standard deduction is ₡0, while Maldives's is ރ.0. A larger deduction reduces the income that's actually taxed.
Are these figures exact?+
No — these are estimates generated from a simplified model of each country's published tax brackets, intended for planning purposes. They don't account for every credit, allowance, or surcharge. Always confirm current-year figures with Costa Rica's and Maldives's official tax authorities before making a decision.
Compare Costa Rica with other countries
Compare Maldives with other countries
Figures shown are estimates for the current tax year and do not include every deduction, credit or surcharge that may apply. Always confirm with each country's official tax authority.