Post image for Conflicting maps may jeopardize land ownership

Conflicting maps may jeopardize land ownership

by Garland M Baker on November 28, 2011

This is the time to have a trusted surveyor second check to see if there are overlaying maps on any property owned in Costa Rica. If there are contradicting maps, the uncertainty could soon cause big trouble.

Around three years ago, the Registro Nacional and its Catastro or plat map department started a plan to crosscheck properties. Before this time, there was little or no checking done. Now Registro workers are using sophisticated equipment, including NASA photographs to check map overlays.

Here is a true story that happened recently.

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Post image for Special setup lets employers duck Caja collectors

Special setup lets employers duck Caja collectors

by Garland M Baker on October 17, 2011

The Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social known to most in its abbreviated form as CCSS or just the Caja is out in force to collect money owed to the institution. Many companies owe the Caja money. Some try to play games with the system, so they do not have to pay. Here is a bit of background and a company structure that most expats and Ticos alike do not know about which can be used to avoid the game playing.

The CCSS is the foundation of the social security system in Costa Rica. It collects money each month for itself and various other institutions to cover employee health, death and old age benefits to name a few.

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Post image for Digital push at Registro opens door to crooks

Digital push at Registro opens door to crooks

by Garland M Baker on September 5, 2011

Expats and everyone else holding assets in Costa Rica should check the documents pertaining to their properties as soon as possible to be sure everything is in order. Asset thefts are on the rise because of the digitalization of documents throughout the country.

The problem is that as the government institutions digitalize the workers are omitting important information from the original documents. One could wake up one morning and find the house stolen.

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Employee revenge can spell doom to a company

August 8, 2011
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Today’s employee could be a company’s worst enemy tomorrow. If an employee turns, some will do as much harm as they can to their employer. There are three important rules to finding and keeping a good employee: selection, training and remuneration. Even after going through a strict selection process, training employees extensively and paying them [...]

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With proposed tax, they’ll get you coming or going

July 11, 2011
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There is a new tax on the horizon for all types of companies, including inactive ones, that could prove to be very expensive for expats living in Costa Rica. This tax is just another way to squeeze everyone, including expats. It will surely prove to be a deterrent to investing in the country. What is [...]

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Web page easily calculates exiting employee’s pay

June 6, 2011
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Most expats in Costa Rica have experienced the problem of firing an employee or have one leave unexpectedly. One of the biggest headaches is calculating what is owed to them. What usually happens is the employee goes to the labor ministry and has the calculations made there. An employer never knows if the numbers are [...]

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New system provides those legal documents online

May 2, 2011
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There is nothing more frustrating in Costa Rica than to go to a bank, government agency or some store for a company purchase and the clerk asks: “Do you have a personería jurídica?” The personería juridical is a legal document used in most Latin American countries to prove legal capacity or legal representation, mostly for [...]

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