Costa Rica's Ministry of Finance (Hacienda) has published Resolution MH-DGT-RES-0015-2026, which establishes interpretive criteria on the application of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in relation to Costa Rican tax law.
The resolution was published in the official gazette, La Gaceta, on April 29, 2026, and will take effect on January 1, 2027, giving companies a preparation period to assess the impact of these new guidelines on their accounting and tax processes.
What is the purpose of this resolution?
Its main purpose is to provide greater legal certainty to both taxpayers and the Tax Administration by clarifying how IFRS should be interpreted where specific tax provisions exist.
In other words, Hacienda is seeking to align financial information prepared under IFRS with tax obligations, reducing differences in interpretation and strengthening tax oversight mechanisms.
Key changes
The most significant aspects of the resolution include the following:
- Large National Taxpayers (Grandes Contribuyentes Nacionales) must keep their accounting records and present their financial statements under full IFRS, which means a higher level of disclosure and detail in their financial information.
- Taxpayers under the general regime may continue to use the IFRS for SMEs or adopt full IFRS, depending on their information needs and the requirements of their regulators.
- The resolution does not apply to taxpayers registered under the Simplified Tax Regime or the Special Agricultural Regime.
What issues does the Tax Administration clarify?
The resolution includes interpretive criteria on the tax treatment of a range of accounting items, including:
- Investments.
- Inventories.
- Property, plant, and equipment.
- Construction contracts.
- Biological assets.
- Intangible assets.
- Investment properties.
- Business combinations.
- Other items relevant to the preparation of financial statements.
These guidelines will help reduce the existing uncertainty in the practical application of IFRS where it intersects with tax legislation.
What should companies do?
Although the resolution will not take effect until January 1, 2027, companies are advised to begin assessing its impact now.
Here are some recommended actions:
- Review the accounting framework currently in use.
- Assess whether there are differences between the accounting treatment and the tax treatment.
- Update accounting policies and internal procedures.
- Train accounting and finance staff.
- Analyze the impact on financial statements and future tax returns.
Preparing early will make it possible to implement the changes in an orderly manner and minimize the risk of noncompliance.
Are there penalties?
Yes. The resolution states that failure to comply with these provisions may result in the penalties and fines set out in the Code of Tax Rules and Procedures (Código de Normas y Procedimientos Tributarios).
How can ASCONFIN help?
At ASCONFIN, we support companies of all sizes in implementing IFRS and meeting their tax obligations.
Our team can help you:
- Assess the impact of Resolution MH-DGT-RES-0015-2026.
- Review your accounting policies.
- Prepare for the transition to the new interpretive criteria.
- Reduce tax risks through proper planning and compliance.
If you would like to know how this resolution may affect your company, our team is ready to provide you with specialized advisory services.