Costa Rica, Argentina, Sao Tome and Principe: Tax Rates & Startup Funding Compared

Side-by-side breakdown of tax rates, startup funding, visa options, and 6 more dimensions for founders choosing where to incorporate in 2026.

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3 selectedClear all
🇦🇷Argentina
58
Worldwide
🇨🇷Costa Rica
75
Territorial
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe
46
Worldwide

Dimension Profile

Shape = jurisdiction fingerprint. Gap = your decision.

Tax Regime Comparison3
🇦🇷ArgentinaWorldwide35%
🇨🇷Costa RicaTerritorial25%
🇸🇹Sao Tome and PrincipeWorldwide25%
Tax system mismatchCritical

Argentina and Sao Tome and Principe tax all worldwide income once you become a tax resident (top rate: 35%). Costa Rica does not - only locally-sourced income is taxed. This is a fundamental structural difference that affects your total effective tax burden.

10pp personal tax rate spreadNote

Both countries tax worldwide income, but the top personal income tax rates differ materially. Argentina: 35% vs Sao Tome and Principe: 25%. Both apply to all global earnings once you establish residency.

CFC rules apply in one jurisdictionReview

Argentina has Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) rules. Owning a foreign company as a resident may trigger local tax on undistributed profits - even if the company pays no dividends. The other countries in this comparison do not have CFC rules.

Not tax advice. Tax laws change frequently. Verify with a qualified professional before making residency decisions.

Field-by-Field Breakdown

Green = best value per row
Metric
🇦🇷Argentina58
🇨🇷Costa Rica75
🇸🇹Sao Tome and Principe46
Dimension Scores
Corporate Tax
0
100
17
Funding
85
60
40
Visa
90
90
50
Residency
91
58
56
Tax Res.
55
75
55
Practical
81
78
55
Remote Work
79
84
52
Family
85
80
70
Ecosystem
80
40
40
Corporate Tax Details
Corporate Tax Rate35%30%25%
Capital Gains Tax15%15%0%
Tax Treaties22123
Territorial SystemNoYesNo
Funding Details
Active VCs6580
Government GrantsYesYesNo
EU Funding EligibleNoNoNo
Visa Details
Has Startup VisaYesYesNo
Processing Time604542
Min Investment$5K-$90K
E-ResidencyNoNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaYesYesNo
Residency Details
Visa Programs Available322
Citizenship Timeline27-
Dual CitizenshipYesYesYes
Immigration Score877
Tax Res. Details
Tax Residency Days365-183
Personal Tax Top Rate352525
Territorial TaxationNoYesNo
Special Tax RegimeNoNoNo
Exit TaxNoNoNo
Practical Details
Banking Difficultydifficultmoderatevery_difficult
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYesYes
Company Formation11430
Virtual Office OKYesYesNo
Remote Work Details
Nomad VisaYesYesNo
Tourist Workgray_areatoleratedillegal
Tourist Visa Days909015
PE Risk Levelmoderatelowlow
Days Before Tax Res.365-183
Internet Speed1306010
Coworking/mo$150$200-
Family Details
Safety Index455565
Int'l SchoolsYesYesNo
Homeschoolinglegal_with_restrictionslegal-
Healthcare Quality727530
Cost of Living505228
Ecosystem Details
Unicorns1400
English Business EnvNoNoNo
Talent Pool Quality784510

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