Inactive Companies Income Statement in Costa Rica: Form 272 (Former D-195)
If your Costa Rica corporation is dormant and does not carry out business activity, it may still have to file an annual informational return. Today, inactive legal entities file through TRIBU-CR under Form 272, while many taxpayers and advisers still refer to the obligation by its former name, D-195.
Important: “inactive” does not mean “free from tax formalities.” A Costa Rica company with no operating income may still have to report its assets, liabilities and patrimonial position if it is registered as an inactive legal entity.
What is an inactive company in Costa Rica?
An inactive company is a legal entity that exists but does not conduct profit-generating business activity. In practice, many inactive corporations are used to hold real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, family assets or future investment structures.
This is common among foreign investors who buy property through a corporation, families using a holding structure, and companies that are legally incorporated but not yet operating.
Typical examples
- A corporation that only owns a home, lot or condo.
- A holding company with no active billing.
- A company formed for future operations but still inactive.
- A dormant corporation that stopped doing business but still exists legally.
What “inactive” does not mean
- It does not mean exempt from formal tax duties.
- It does not mean the company can ignore the tax registry.
- It does not mean no accounting support is needed.
- It does not mean there is no exposure to penalties.
Who must file the inactive company return?
In general, inactive legal entities registered in the Costa Rica Tax Registry (RUT) must file the annual informational return. The obligation is usually handled by the legal representative and, in some cases, by the duly appointed liquidator.
Common cases that should be reviewed
- Companies registered as inactive legal entities.
- Pre-operational entities that still appear without active business operations.
- Dissolved companies that remain subject to formal compliance through a liquidator.
Important nuance
Not every company with low activity is necessarily treated as an inactive company for this specific filing. The company’s actual tax registration and the nature of any income matter, so the classification should be reviewed carefully before filing.
Form 272 vs. D-195: what changed?
Many taxpayers still search for the inactive companies income statement in Costa Rica under the old code D-195. That is understandable. Under the current TRIBU-CR system and declaration recoding, the informational filing for inactive legal entities now appears as Form 272.
For SEO and practical guidance, both terms matter:
- Former name: D-195 in ATV.
- Current operational filing: Form 272 in TRIBU-CR.
Practical takeaway: if you are looking for “how to file D-195 in Costa Rica,” the current process should be reviewed through TRIBU-CR and Form 272.
Deadline and reporting period
The general filing deadline is April 30 of each year. The return reports the company’s situation for the prior ordinary tax period, generally covering January 1 through December 31.
This deadline should not be confused with other separate compliance duties a Costa Rica corporation may have, such as the annual legal entities tax or beneficial ownership reporting.
Checklist before the deadline
- Confirm the company’s status in the tax registry.
- Make sure the legal representative can access TRIBU-CR.
- Review assets, liabilities and patrimonial balances.
- Prepare support documents and accounting backup.
- File on time and keep the filing receipt.
What information must be reported?
This is an informational return, not just a box to tick saying the company has no business activity. The filing is meant to reflect the corporation’s patrimonial reality.
Items commonly reviewed for filing
- Real estate owned by the company.
- Vehicles and other registrable assets.
- Bank accounts, cash and liquid resources.
- Accounts receivable or investments, when applicable.
- Loans, debts and other liabilities.
- Capital and patrimonial structure.
- Supporting explanation of how expenses or obligations are funded, when relevant.
Recommended supporting documentation
- Bank statements.
- Property deeds and land registry support.
- Vehicle documentation and value support.
- Loan agreements or debt acknowledgements.
- Basic accounting records and internal balance support.
Even if the company is dormant, a minimum accounting trail is strongly recommended to support the reported figures and reduce future compliance problems.
How to file the inactive company return in TRIBU-CR
- Access the official TRIBU-CR platform.
- Verify that the company is correctly registered and that the legal representative has access.
- Locate the filing for inactive legal entities and review the applicable form.
- Complete the requested information on assets, liabilities and patrimonial structure.
- Check consistency carefully before submitting.
- Save the filing acknowledgment and keep it in the corporate records.
If the return is filed incorrectly, inconsistencies may later affect bank compliance, corporate housekeeping, property transfers, due diligence processes or future tax reviews.
Penalties and compliance risks
Failing to file can expose the company to formal tax penalties and broader compliance issues. In real-world practice, the problem is often bigger than the fine itself: non-compliant dormant entities tend to face more friction when selling property, updating corporate books, proving source of funds, reorganizing shareholders or working through estate and succession matters.
Bottom line: filing on time is usually easier and cheaper than fixing a dormant company’s compliance record later.
Why this matters for foreign investors, expats and property owners
Many U.S., Canadian and European clients use Costa Rica corporations to hold property or family assets. In those cases, the inactive company informational return becomes part of the company’s broader legal and tax compliance profile.
A properly maintained inactive company is easier to sell, inherit, restructure, finance or place through legal due diligence. A neglected one can create unnecessary delays and costs.
When professional help is especially useful
- The company owns one or more properties.
- There are shareholder loans or third-party funding arrangements.
- The origin of funds needs clearer support.
- The company may not be correctly classified as inactive.
- The corporation is dormant but still has meaningful assets or liabilities.
FAQ: inactive companies in Costa Rica
Do inactive companies in Costa Rica have to file a return?
Yes, many inactive legal entities must file an annual informational return even if they have no operating income, especially when they remain registered as inactive companies and hold assets or liabilities.
Is Form 272 the same as D-195?
D-195 is the historical name many taxpayers still use. Under the current TRIBU-CR recoding, the inactive legal entities informational filing is handled as Form 272.
What is the deadline for inactive companies in Costa Rica?
The general deadline is April 30 each year, covering the prior reporting period.
What if my company owns property but has no income?
That is one of the most common scenarios. A corporation that owns property but does not operate commercially may still need to file the informational return and keep support for its patrimonial position.
Do I need accounting if my company is inactive?
At minimum, the company should keep organized financial support and basic accounting backup for the reported assets, liabilities and capital structure.
Conclusion
The inactive companies income statement in Costa Rica should not be treated as a minor filing. Whether you know it as D-195 or by its current operational code Form 272, the key is the same: review the company’s tax status, verify the correct filing route in TRIBU-CR and report the company’s patrimonial reality accurately.
For foreign investors, retirees and property owners, this is an important part of maintaining a clean and usable corporate structure in Costa Rica.
Need help filing for an inactive company in Costa Rica?
At AG Legal, we advise local and foreign clients on corporate and tax compliance in Costa Rica, including inactive company filings, property-holding corporations and ongoing corporate maintenance.
Contact our legal team