The 2015 Marchamo which is the annual vehicle road and insurance tax which the Costa Rican government imposes on vehicles is now available for payment. The Marchamo must be paid by January 1, 2015 after that date any vehicle that has an unpaid Marchamo will be fined.
The Marchamo consists of the following payments:
1. Mandatory insurance payment
2. Payment to the Transit Department (Cosevi)
3. The Road Tax
4. Tax in favor of the Municipal government
5. Wildlife Duty Stamp
6. Payment for Law 7088
7. Sales Tax of 13%
For example if you take a 2011 Toyota Prius according to the government tax database the fiscal value of the vehicle would be 15,030,000 Colones (US$28,093). As such this vehicle would pay the following in Marchamos for 2015
MANDATORY INSURANCE
US$35.46
18,975.00
APORTE AL CONSEJO DE SEGURIDAD VIAL
US$19.28
10,317.00
IMPUESTO A LA PROPIEDAD DE VEHICULOS
US$809.34
433,000.00
IMPUESTO A FAVOR DE LAS MUNICIPALIDADES
US$0.37
200.00
TIMBRE FAUNA SILVESTRE
US$.019
104.00
LEY 7088 Y REF.
US$3.36
1,793.00
IMPUESTO DE VENTAS (13%)
US$4.61
2,467.00
As a result the total Marchamo for this vehicle for 2015 would be US$837.15 for the year. Since the road tax portion of the Marchamo is based upon a formula that takes into account the import value of the vehicle brand when new and the market value of the vehicle . This year that formula has resulted in a 21% increase for many vehicles, This particularily affects the luxury brands. For example a 2012 BMW X5 according to the tax department has a valuation of 47,400,000 Colones (US$88,598) which in turn means that it will pay US$2,990 in Marchamo for 2015.
To check the amount that you owe for Marchamo for 2015 go to the website of the National Insurance Institute – INS and enter your license plate number in the area indicated. See the image below:
