This Tuesday, a bill was approved to gradually eliminate the tax on financial transactions known as the “4×1,000”, a process that would be done gradually while seeking other sources of tax revenues to replace it.
What is the justification for this proposal?
The initiative was presented by the representative to the Chamber, Katherine Miranda, who pointed out that “according to the parliamentarian, the 4X1.000 continues to encourage the use of cash for thousands of transactions in the economy, and pointed out that precisely a Commission of Experts convened by the Government reaffirmed that it is a distorting tax discouraging the entry of companies to the formal economy and becomes an obstacle for national and foreign investment”.
What does this proposal suggest?
According to the Parliamentarian, the initiative proposes a reduction of one percentage point per year starting in 2023, with the rate going to 3 X 1,000 in that year, to 2 X 1,000 in 2024, to 1 X 1,000 in 2025, and ceasing in 2026.
In this regard, the proposal is a gradual one until 2026, when the tax will no longer be included in the country’s tax statute.
Is a replacement suggested?
According to Miranda, “We are going to weigh these revenues with taxes on the highest salaries, starting at 25 million pesos and the elimination of tax benefits for mega investments, which will amount to around 9 billion pesos”.
The high-income tax would start to apply as of January 1, 2023, by monthly paying on account of income equivalent to 25 million pesos or in its equivalent in Tax Value Units, i. e., one day 689 TVU.
According to El Tiempo, the bill approved in the first debate states: those having income ranging from 689 TVU to 757 TVU would pay a rate of 1%, from 757 to 826 TVU, 3%; from 826 to 909 TVU, 4%; being 5% onwards.
Endorsement from the Ministry of Finance?
The bill does not have any endorsement from the Ministry of Finance, a fundamental condition to constitutionalize a reform to the tax statute since the Legislature cannot modify taxes on its own.
These proposals are pending if possible to implement these laws.
Source: El Tiempo 03/11/21