Stamp tax is eliminated for procedures at consulates

August 31, 2021

On August 27, 2021, the “Pulzo” website commented on the elimination of the most hated taxes by Colombians, namely the stamp tax.

1. Stamp tax

This tax proceeds at consulates, being at the same time one of the most criticized taxes by Colombians abroad. In addition, this tax also applies to the Colombian embassies in different parts of the world.

2. Elimination of stamp tax

The initiative to eliminate it came from the House Representative Juan David Vélez, who explained it will benefit more than 5 million Colombians abroad who were paying an unfair tax. Thus, the costs to be eliminated would be the following: passport issuance, authentications, verifications, signature recognition, and public deeds.

3. Cost reduction

An example of the impact of the tax elimination would be the Colombian passport, costing 145 dollars because in 2019 and 89 dollars currently. It will cost 64 euros in Europe.

4. Validity of the tax elimination and positivity of the reform

The stamp tax was an unfair charge for Colombians abroad, there being many complaints about it. Therefore, the elimination of the tax was endorsed by Congress, the Ministry of Finance, and President Iván Duque.

The entry into force of the rule that eliminates the stamp tax began on August 27, 2021. Articles 525 and 550 of the National Tax Statute were eliminated.

Source: Pulzo 31/08/21