Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In

Colombia Expat Forum

Does Colombia tax VA Compensation Benefits?

New Topic Newest First
hashtagoverit
  1/30/2017 01:22 EST

Dear Forum,

As we've all read, there's lots of discussion of Colombia's taxing of international income on this forum, and thankfully so. Does anybody know if Colombia taxes U.S. Dep't of Veterans Affairs disability compensation? It's not taxed in the States, but that means nothing elsewhere.

All the Best,
#overit

cccmedia
  1/30/2017 03:47 EST

My COL attorney recently forwarded a (gratis) tax opinion to me from a COL accountant. I had made it clear that I had legally not been paying any federal or state tax in the U.S. (per my USA accountant).

The tax opinion: if an Expat doesn’t pay tax in the U.S., he is not liable to pay tax in Colombia.

Although this tax opinion didn’t mesh with forum posts I’ve seen, I am willing not to look a gift horse in the mouth.

By the way, that was the total tax opinion .. so I do not have any additional wrinkles or clarifications to add.

Any tax resident of Colombia reading the above tax opinion should contact his own professional before deciding on whether to live here for 183 or more days annually. I present the above only to show that one’s tax situation can potentially be resolved In Your Favor, depending on the accountant or tax attorney you choose. (Also depending on whether you pay USA taxes.)

cccmedia in La Zona Cafetera

Colombian Visa ServicesColombian Visa Services
Connect

We have over 10 years of experience helping foreigners obtain visas, invest, and do business in Colombia. Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Colombian Visa ServicesColombian Visa Services

We have over 10 years of experience helping foreigners obtain visas, invest, and do business in Colombia. Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

bickmed
  1/30/2017 06:37 EST

Good news,however tax opinions are only a guide, and the tax department will make a final decision (should for eg a tax audit ever be completed). I know plenty of people who have faced fines and back fee for taxes that their accountants had advised they didn't need to pay or did not apply to them.

I am certainly not saying that this is the situation in the above - just that I am very wary of accountants rulings and advice, especially in Colombia where I have not had good experiences with tax accountants having a clue.

I always ask now to see the actual legislation / law that is applicable to try and make sure the accountant is correct.

Not helping further, is that often DIAN seems to be equally clueless when trying to clarify issues.

guestuser
  1/30/2017 08:35 EST

@ccm I expect that more than a few expats reading your posting this morning will be pleased with the news that you are suggesting. I've more doubts about the situation and let me explain why.

Firstly, on whether you've actually got a tax 'opinion'. You've certainly been given a view but what it seems you have is anything but a formal tax opinion, that is one that you can rely on if you ever have issues with the tax authorities.

We'll skip that tax opinions are generally provided by tax lawyers, rather than tax accountants but all you have is a statement. For a usable tax opinion you need the scope (what income or assets are covered), what the tax treatment will be and why - and that should refer to the tax code. So what you need is a document that says 'you don't have to pay tax on this described income because the law says this'. Also if you have an opinion you want to make sure that whoever gave it to you - whether for fee or free - is willing to go with you or on your behalf to the DIAN and argue the point if it's ever questioned. What no one wants to put themselves into the situation of is 'I didn't pay tax because someone told me I didn't need to'. Is that accountant willing to do that?

One other issue that is often misunderstood by people is the need to file taxes and the need to pay taxes. Even if you owe the government no money it's likely that as a resident you need to file taxes here. So even being told that there's no need to pay doesn't mean there's no need to file. And the test of whether the statement is true about whether you don't need to pay any taxes is when you fill the tax form out. If you have income, even if it isn't taxable in the US, how do submit your return to ensure the same treatment?

Let's return to the broadness of the opinion you've been given. Just off the top of my head I can think of two examples where no tax is paid in the US, but taxation exists in Colombia.

Firstly, let's remember that Colombia has an income tax system that has two tracks. One is based on measuring the tax due on world wide income and the other on the value of your world wide assets. Whichever produces the higher tax applies. Now in the US you don't pay tax on the value of your assets (at least not at the federal level) whereas in Colombia you do. Hence the statement 'if you don't pay taxes in the US you don't in Colombia' is obviously incorrect

Secondly, let's look at the US treatment of foreign earned income. That's where the US doesn't tax the first $100k or so of income if it is earned abroad on the basis that it will be taxed in the country you are resident in. By your example that means that if you were working here you could earn $100k in Colombia and because the US isn't taxing you on it magically you don't owe Colombia anything on it? So two people working side by side in an office in Bogota one a Colombian and one a resident US national the Colombian pays local taxes but the Gringo doesn't? There's a reason digital nomads live outside in the US but make sure that they don't fall into the residency trap in Colombia and hence only live here for half of the year.

The last hole in the opinion you've got is that there is no tax treaty between the US and Colombia. Therefore what the US tax law says and does has no influence over the Colombian system. If there was a tax treaty with Colombia, as there are with some other countries, what you've been told could well be (mostly) true. But no tax treaty means that anything that one system says is ignored by the other.

guestuser
  1/30/2017 09:47 EST

To the OP I think that would be considered a pension (correct me if I am wrong) and therefore taxable as Colombia considers foreign pensions (whether private or from governmental sources) as income.

Depending on the amount you are receiving that might or might not a a significant amount of tax.

cccmedia
  1/30/2017 10:02 EST

Paradise, outstanding and clearly-stated post about the tax opinion. This is probably the best of your many fine posts on COL taxes that I have seen.

Thanks for the guidance.

cccmedia in La Zona

Colombian Visa ServicesColombian Visa Services
Connect

We have over 10 years of experience helping foreigners obtain visas, invest, and do business in Colombia. Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Colombian Visa ServicesColombian Visa Services

We have over 10 years of experience helping foreigners obtain visas, invest, and do business in Colombia. Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Bobfrozen1
  1/30/2017 11:06 EST

PL,

Excellent and great information!!

Let me add something that might be of relevance.

VA compensation or disability is not declared as income in the US. In other words it is not shown as income on the US tax forms. Social Security is not taxed up to a certain level but is listed as income when you file in the US and is included as taxable income in Colombia (as of late). So is it really income in Colombia ??

I guess only DIAN knows for sure (maybe)

guestuser
  1/30/2017 11:26 EST

@bobf - interesting about the income not being included on tax forms.

What often happens over here is that tax preparers take foreign income directly from the foreign tax declarations. There are lots of problems with this as they start using numbers that already have US Tax rules included (e.g. personal allowances) and exclude others (for example the interest, dividends and capital gains of tax deferred accounts). So any tax accountant here pulling numbers of your supplied foreign tax return arguably isn't following the rules.

In preparing the Colombian portion the preparer is meant to go back the base information. That is a pretty detailed process. For example they will want to look at all of your bank and investment accounts and look at the cash flows. In the OP's case even if the amount wasn't shown on his US taxes they'd look at the monthly cash flows of the receipt of the pension and pick it up that way.

If the tax return is prepared properly then I think it's still going to appear as a taxable item.

However, if the OP picks a tax preparer who just pulls numbers from his US taxes then there's good chance that it's not going to be discovered - unless there's an audit.

What might be a further thought is whether the OP is going to be relying on the receipt of the pension to get his visa. In using the existence of a pension to justify the visa and then not declaring it for tax would be an interesting approach!

jalva321
  7/28/2019 20:23 EST

This makes sense, as V.A. Disability is not considered a pension of any type, and not subject to taxation. However, based on the other posts, the Colombian government seems to consider it as some form of income because it has monetary value. Personally, I don't see how they would find out unless you volunteer the information, or it is the only source of income you are informing them of in your attempt to get an M11 Visa?

jalva321
  7/28/2019 20:34 EST

Bank Statements? Since when is that a requirement when filing taxes? I thought information you give is voluntary? It sounds like you work for the Colombian tax authorities my man.

jalva321
  7/28/2019 20:40 EST

What the OP considers a pension is irrelevant, what the law considers a pension is relevant. V.A. Disability is not a considered a pension by definition. It could be considered as earned income though.

Colombian Visa ServicesColombian Visa Services
Connect

We have over 10 years of experience helping foreigners obtain visas, invest, and do business in Colombia. Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Colombian Visa ServicesColombian Visa Services

We have over 10 years of experience helping foreigners obtain visas, invest, and do business in Colombia. Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

jalva321
  7/28/2019 20:45 EST

Another interesting point. The banks in question from where they pull their information from seem to be Colombian banks. The other question that seems to be of importance if audited is that all the information you have (Banking, expenses, otherwise) are investigated, they only have access to Domestic banking information in Colombia if it were the case, not foreign banks, and not without your consent. With this post I'm implying that their are ways around this taxable issue dilemma. As any reporting is always voluntary, even here in the U.S. I would contact a tax attorney in Colombia.

ponymalta
  7/29/2019 03:42 EST

In neither the USA or Colombia do tax authorities need the bank holders consent to access bank records.Further under FACTA and similar regulations theoretically DIAN can access US bank records if they wish, It seems DIAN may not grasp this or generally simply doesnt follow up on Expats.

Colombia accountants or DIAN personnel will often give very conflicting answers.

I would have thought first step would be to determine whether similar payments in Colombia are taxable or not.

guestuser
  7/29/2019 09:17 EST

It would be very unlikely that VA benefits are exempt. Generally governments only allow tax exclusions against benefits they grant. So, they might exclude taxes on benefits to Colombian veterans (because it looks good) but not to expats who receive benefits from other countries. Remember when countries make benefits free of tax they adjust the amounts paid to reflect the tax free nature. Basically it’s a concept of we’ll pay you the money and avoid (on both sides) the hassle of paying some of the money back in tax.

On not disclosing the bank account where the amounts are paid that’s something of a red herring. Most expats get a tax preparer to do their taxes. Every tax preparer here is going to ask, as the first deliverable, your home country tax return. Those returns, even if income isn’t taxable will show it on the tax return with the offsetting deduction. So, it would be difficult to hide the income if you went to a tax preparer. Also any tax preparer should be asking you for your bank statements. Of course you can avoid passing some accounts to them but it then passes any culpability to you if you get audited.

One argument I’ve never understood is why the Colombians would need to get your financial data from overseas in order to catch you flying under the radar.

They know you’re a resident (they gave you a visa), they likely know you have income (information disclosed when they gave you a visa or just the fact that you’re a foreigner and unlikely to be living here without any support) and through the record of your entry in and out of the country how many days you stay here a year. In Colombia, as in most places, other than at very low levels of income it’s a requirement to file taxes. You may not owe taxes, your income may not be taxable, but you are meant to be filing a return all the same.

So the idea that you’ll only get on the radar is by them trawling through vast amount of data supplied from overseas is erroneous. They can work out pretty quickly which expats aren’t making declarations.

The IRS just did something similar with Bitcoin traders. The exchanges kept very little data and traders were meant to be relying on their own calculations to work out their gains. It was no secret that many Bitcoin traders weren’t reporting their gains to the IRS for tax purposes.

So the IRS (which probably has more data then they are letting on) has sent out a set of letters (graded in severity) to people they found were using one of the exchanges. The IRS doesn’t know the income, but they do know who likely has it. The letters invite people, under the threat of perjury, to attest that they’ve declared all their income from Bitcoin.

Expect some forced sales of Bitcoin as people scrabble to find tax payment money.

JustSomeGuy
  7/29/2019 10:29 EST

I think the income information from overseas is just useful to see what the real income is, as opposed to the reported income.

It would be so easy to catch expats who don’t file that I’m forced to believe that the Colombian government doesn’t want to catch them. Perhaps the gov sees expats as a net advantage even without the income taxes and doesn’t want to chase them out. Changing the law to reduce expat income tax to zero might be difficult politically so they just ignore the law they don’t like.

guestuser
  7/29/2019 10:52 EST

Or perhaps it’s that there aren’t that many expats and there are bigger fish to fry.

At the moment.


One argument on here has been that Colombians don’t report foreign income so why should expats. But those Colombians report some income. Those Colombians are clever in at least making a declaration of income than expats who avoid the process totally.

On the letting the expat tax issue slide it’s a theory but it’s never been one any of the tax and accountants I’ve talked with in Colombia have proposed. They’ve always suggested increased vigilance from the DIAN is coming. I guess that’ll be explained away as ‘in their interest to say that’.

If you think there’s a huge economic benefit in a small number of expat pensioners paying IVA I’d disagree with you.

Net net with most expats seemingly paying the minimum amount for health care I can’t see how Colombia is getting much benefit at all. With many pensioners saying they live on $1,000 a month that - if everything has IVA attached - is $190 a month or just over $2,000 a year. Take out the subsidized health care most expats are claiming and it likely zero benefit.

JustSomeGuy
  7/29/2019 11:03 EST

I can only guess at why the law is not enforced and have little confidence in the guesses.

This kind of fraud is so easy to detect and yet it goes undetected. Of course there are more important issues but if their database is Oracle I could knock this problem off in an afternoon.

There must be some reason they aren’t doing that. The rank and file DIAN employees think only Colombian income is taxed, I asked in the Manizales office, but surely the folks in charge know the law.

jalva321
  7/29/2019 12:11 EST

You are mistaken, they do unless you have over $50K in the bank. You think we live in a world where information is freely interchangeable between countries, and you are mistaken. The information will not include the value of real estate but will aim to target those who are seeking to evade paying tax in their home country. Taken from the Department of Justice “The United States will begin to exchange information with DIAN. Every person liable to pay taxes in Colombia will be reported by the United States on the state of their financial assets in that country. Someone who has an account with an amount over $50,000 will be reported,” Finance Minister Mauricio Cardenas explained. This occurred after the "Panama Papers" incident in 2015. Next time you write something, please take the time to look it up, and not just write it because you think it's so. That's misleading and inaccurate.

guestuser
  7/29/2019 12:21 EST

Any foreigner here who has filed taxes will tell you that foreign income is taxed no matter what the employees in Manizales might believe.

Presumably line 77 on the standard Colombian 210 tax form which states income ‘en El Paris y del exterior’ is a mistake then?

If you’re looking for a theory why there’s been no action the concept that a tax treaty with the US which is often suggested as being ‘near’ might be one. If there’s going to be a tax treaty why enforce a situation that will soon no longer exist.

The problem with that is that the tax treaty shows no signs of appearing. Why, I don’t know but I’d guess that the US may have concerns that any tax treaty might aid Narco business in some way shielding income from the

jalva321
  7/29/2019 13:06 EST

Seems this is what is going on... The minister also highlighted that there will be a significant increases in penalties for those who fail to declare income as the government seeks to close the net on tax evaders.

“The person who does not legalize it and who does not declare it, now has the possibility of doing so by paying a penalty of 13%. If it does not and the United States reports it, the DIAN receives that information and could impose fines of up to 170% of the value of the assets that it did not declare,” he said.

guestuser
  7/29/2019 13:07 EST

@jalva321

As you know I don’t work for the DIAN.

In terms of facts and knowledge how many times have you filed taxes in Colombia either as a resident or a non-resident. Let me guess. None. So your understanding of the process is hardly fact based is it?

I didn’t say your US tax preparer will ask you for your Bank Accounts (But they will ask you for the tax forms that go with them). Colombian tax preparers WILL ask you for your bank statements and also, while we’re looking at the differences, your credit card statements. Colombian tax accounting works in a cash flow basis and they are going to look at the inflows to your accounts to look for ‘income’. They’re also going to look at your IRA and 401k statements for income there.

On not going to jail technically with changes in the law here that is now possible. Presumably you know about Colombian fines for tax evasion - financially they are not a slap on the wrists. As for finding a lawyer who will work on your behalf about the confiscation of assets, have fun finding one.

As for your fact that was 2015. Your basis for knowing that’s still the case?

As for ‘if you make a lot of money’ you do realize that in Colombian terms just about every expat here is wealthy?

Another thought for you. If a group of by US standards wealthy foreigners came to live in the US would you agree with the theory that they didn’t need to pay federal taxes and could hide income as they were ‘adding value’ by their presence. After all they’d be paying sales tax. Or would you see that group of foreigners in a negative light and want your elected official to do something about it?

WhoaNellie
  7/29/2019 13:42 EST

Evasion of taxes in Colombia has been going on ever since they started collecting taxes.

But there are many signs that they are tightening up. It doesn't happen overnight, of course - they have to allocate resources and people for technology, and make plans to collect, and to punish and fine evaders. Colombia has so many social programs they want to fund that fall short because the money is not being paid to government as they want it to be, and as their laws say it should be.

Per this 2018 article:

https://www.lafm.com.co/economia/evadir-impuestos-daria-carcel-en-colombia-con-ley-de-financiamiento

...DIAN hopes that by investing in modern technology to track money they can eventually collect an estimated 30 billion more in COP each year. They hope to increase it year by year: "...el Gobierno tiene como meta alcanzar los 7.6 billones de pesos este año; en 2019 la idea es lograr gestionar 10 billones de pesos y en 2020 alcanzar los 17 billones de pesos."

With only about 3 million people out of a population of 50 million even eligible to file and pay taxes in Colombia, they are going to be looking at every source.

For those who poo-poo the idea that Colombia would ever tighten up, it might be instructive just to do an internet search for the last year for

colombia dian evadir impuestos

jalva321
  7/29/2019 17:14 EST

I don't grumble, as per the post. Why don't we stick to the reason for this section of the forum "Does Colombia tax VA Compensation Benefits?"

The answer, since no one here has yet to answer it, is... YES! If you volunteer the information on your Colombian tax return. There, it was that simple, instead of putting out so much misinformation. At the end of the day guys, consult an attorney and not some band of misfits that think they have all the answers.

fecherklyn
  7/29/2019 18:04 EST

@jalva

You tell me "Really, as I am not aware of that? Hmm, let's analyze that for a minute. How exactly does DIAN find out about those assets? If you can answer that than you are a genius, and this argument is over."

Well, you are the person calling yourself a "tax attorney", but here is the reply. The obligation to submit Formulario 160 is set out in Articulo 42 de la Ley 1739 de 2014 as an addendum to Articulo 574 de Estatuto Tributario. Accordingly, it is NOT information you choose to volunteer, it is a legal obligation that you "choose" to abide by, or ignore.

You ask "how did my bank find out" The answer is because they acted in conformity with the law. I transfer money into Colombia by bank transfer, rather than ATM withdrawals. The Colombian Exchange Control laws require the banks involved in such transfers to ensure their clients fill out the appropriate "Clearance" formulario specifying the source of the incoming funds and the purpose they are to be used for. Thus, I have to sign these forms (Formulario 5 for expats and Formulario 4 Non-Residents) and show evidence to my bank that I have submitted the annual Formulario No 160. Until I have done all this, the bank will NOT clear the incoming funds and credit them to my account. FACT.

You are right, this post did commence with a query about VA tax liability. However, it quite normally evolved into a debate regarding the taxation of incomes originating from outside Colombia.

jalva321
  7/29/2019 18:05 EST

Here’s your answer it depends. yes if it’s reported on your taxes, as you cannot be made to pay taxes in a foreign country that you have not already paid in your parent country. That is the rule of law on income based taxation. So if it is not reported, then no, as it does not appear on your income tax. However, you must show some income to stay in country. That is why they ask for proof of it when you obtain your M11. So if you volunteer info, then Yes.

However, should you go the student route or SSDI then you can use SS and other methods to show income, which is lower. Hope this helps.

fecherklyn
  7/29/2019 18:29 EST

@jalva

"it depends. yes if it’s reported on your tax". But this is the whole point about what we are discussing - The law does not give the public the option of deciding whether, or not, to declare information - the law says you MUST give this data.


" as you cannot be made to pay taxes in a foreign country that you have not already paid in your parent country. That is the rule of law on income based taxation". I am not sure where you get this from but I doubt it until shown the contrary. If that was the case, why do nations go to the bother of Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreements? The whole point is that if no such DTA exists then each country can do what it wants. I have the UK and Colombia squabbling about who taxes my UK incomes. As it stands, our Colombian tax accountants and tax consultants take the view Colombia should tax my UK incomes because I reside here, but they then claim the UK taxes I have already paid at source in the UK as tax credits in Colombia. So far, Colombia has not rejected these tax credits but the risk is always there that they could do so in the absence of the DTA.

ponymalta
  7/29/2019 18:49 EST

Original Message
jalva321

I am unsure where the $50,000 figure came from, but from the actual text of the USA-Colombia FACTA agreement :
"Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Colombia to Improve International Tax Compliance and to Implement the Automatic Exchange of Information with respect to FATCA


…Whereas, the Government of the United States of America collects information regarding certain accounts maintained by U.S. financial institutions held by residents of Colombia and is committed to exchanging such information with the Government of the Republic of Colombia and pursuing equivalent levels of exchange, provided that the appropriate safeguards and infrastructure for an effective exchange relationship are in place….

1. Subject to the provisions of Article 3 of this Agreement, each Party shall obtain the information specified in paragraph 2 of this Article with respect to all Reportable Accounts and shall annually exchange this information with the other Party on an automatic basis pursuant to the provisions of Article 4 of the TIEA….
…The term “Colombian Reportable Account” means a Financial Account maintained by a Reporting U.S. Financial Institution if: (i) in the case of a Depository Account, the account is held by an individual resident in Colombia and more than $10 of interest is paid to such account in any given calendar year; or (ii) in the case of a Financial Account other than a Depository Account, the Account Holder is a resident of Colombia, including an Entity that certifies that it is resident in Colombia for tax purposes, with respect to which U.S. source income that is subject to reporting under chapter 3 of subtitle A or chapter 61 of subtitle F of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code is paid or credited…

…For purposes of the exchange obligation in Article 2 of this Agreement, the amount and characterization of payments made with respect to a U.S. Reportable Account may be determined in accordance with the principles of the tax laws of Colombia, and the amount and characterization of payments made with respect to a Colombian Reportable Account may be determined in accordance with principles of U.S. federal income tax law. …
….Reciprocity. The Government of the United States acknowledges the need to achieve equivalent levels of reciprocal automatic information exchange with Colombia. The Government of the United States is committed to further improve transparency and enhance the exchange relationship with Colombia by pursuing the adoption of regulations and advocating and supporting relevant legislation to achieve such equivalent levels of reciprocal automatic information exchange….
…..The United States commits to establish, by January 1, 2017, for reporting with respect to 2017 and subsequent years, rules requiring Reporting U.S. Financial Institutions to obtain and report the Colombian TIN of each Account Holder of a Colombian Reportable Account as required pursuant to subparagraph 2(b)(1) of Article 2 of this Agreement; and

b) Colombia commits to establish, by January 1, 2017, for reporting with respect to 2017 and subsequent years, rules requiring Reporting Colombian Financial Institutions to obtain the U.S. TIN of each Specified U.S. Person as required pursuant to subparagraph 2(a)(1) of Article 2 of this Agreement"

So DIAN does have the ability to get the information under this agreement and there are others worldwide ow requiring banks to comply with FATCA and similar agreements.

Whether DIAN avails themselves of this, or at the same time US banks/brokers are diligent in this regard another matter. (In the UK banks fairly routinely will ask whether one is or has been within past three years a tax resident abroad with often emphasis whether in the US or not if they notice anything indicating that)

All I am saying is IF Dian wanted it is relatively easy though perhaps a bit cumbersome to retrieve US financial account information on a US Expat.

( The agreement above was negotiated and signed before the Panama papers. There is noting in agreement referring to a $50,000 cutoff).

guestuser
  7/29/2019 19:17 EST

@jalva so you’re a tax accountant and your working principal is you only get to pay tax on what you choose to disclose? Righty-ho. I do hope you read the tax laws better than you read my posts. For example I made it clear that a tax accountant can’t know what his client doesn’t tell him, and therefore won’t accept any responsibility if you are audited about missing information.

The tax discussions always get off course because as soon as someone gives the answer that isn’t wanted, that is tax is payable, some other forum member will chime in with ‘how are they going to find out’.

Given your deep knowledge of the Colombian system you’ll know that unlike the US system there aren’t many deductions and I’ve not come across mirror deductions, that is what is deductible in the US Is also deductible here.

The disability pension is an unfortunate case. The money has been well earned but the taxation issue is going to be significant in Colombia. You can get to deduct some (not all) of your taxes that you pay in the US against your Colombian tab. Issues arise where there has been NO taxation in the US and therefore NO offset in Colombia. That’s unfortunate but a US taxpayer with a lot of non taxable income is going to have the worst outcome of any expat in Colombia. There are other examples. Getting a tax deduction in the US for alimony paid and therefore lowering your US tax bill then becomes an issue in Colombia where there is no deduction and hence no offset.

The question you @jalva seem to be answering is can you avoid declaring the income. As @fech points out, not legally. Of course you can try and hide the income but whether that act will either be discovered now or in the future is an opinion, not a fact.

Bottom line if you have non taxable income in the US you should be considering countries with tax treaties with the US to live as you’ll likely keep the tax free status of the money. Colombia may be a good choice for other reasons but without the treaty it’s a bad choice for tax purposes for that individual.

Anyway good to know we have a professional tax resource on the board. It’ll help a lot. As long as we get to talk about what the tax laws are rather than ‘not if you don’t tell them’.

jalva321
  7/30/2019 00:45 EST

I concur with your facts. I also agree with your statements. The statement " as you cannot be made to pay taxes in a foreign country that you have not already paid in your parent country. That is the rule of law on income based taxation". The statement implies to income you didn't make. Whereas, if you don't pay taxes on income you didn't make how would you pay taxes on it in another country. Vice versa, and unless you reported it, in which case it would be considered evasion. My case in point is that V.A. Disability payments are not considered income nor do they appear the IRS as income. Therefore, reporting it to the Colombian authorities would be the worst thing to do, as it would mean your literally allowing them to tax you on income that is not taxable on all accounts. Find me a law that says V.A. Disability is exempt or non-taxable? Let me help you, there isn't. Hence why I would never report my Disability Payments, period!

jalva321
  7/30/2019 01:10 EST

@Paradise Here’s the thing, if V.A. Disability is not considered income, why would you report it as such? The definition of income from a taxable context would imply you paid it in the States, hence why you are taxed double. So, if one’s dumb enough to report their V.A. Disability go right ahead. Even the IRS doesn’t consider it ‘Income’ nor does the V.A. Again, why would you report something as income when it isn’t classified as such? If someone is dumb enough to report it, then you got the Dian to consider it as some pension, when it isn’t. You still don’t get this point? Further explained below…

“Given your deep knowledge of the Colombian system you’ll know that unlike the US system there aren’t many deductions and I’ve not come across mirror deductions, that is what is deductible in the US Is also deductible here.”
I agree with you here but what does that have to do with V.A. Disability (it’s not a deduction nor is it a pension or form of income).

“The disability pension is an unfortunate case.”
Whoa! Here in, is the problem. We must separate the two… A pension is not the same as a Disability Payment because there are such payments from the D.O.D that are considered ‘Pension’. Totally two different things, even by IRS legal standards. See where the confusion is? I’m not trying to be difficult here but I was thought that words have meanings in law, and a misinterpretation of a word carries a legal precedence or technicality in how it’s used, especially when it concerns matters of law or taxes.
“non taxable income is going to have the worst outcome of any expat in Colombia.”
Good Point!
However, herein is another problem. Disability from the V.A. is not considered income in any manner of speaking. The V.A., D.O.D, and IRS do not even categorize it as an income. See, what I mean by reporting? Herein, you have the law on your side but if you give away the meaning of it, and call it an non-taxable income, then you have substantiated the tax man’s right to penalize you.
“There are other examples. Getting a tax deduction in the US for alimony paid and therefore lowering your US tax bill then becomes an issue in Colombia where there is no deduction and hence no offset.”
I agree but has no basis in this discussion but I understand your point.

“The question you @jalva seem to be answering is can you avoid declaring the income. As @fech points out, not legally. Of course you can try and hide the income but whether that act will either be discovered now or in the future is an opinion, not a fact. I agree with you here again but the fact that Disability is not considered an income is a fact.”
So its more a legal theory as to whether not reporting would penalize one if they were to file a lawsuit against DIAN in Colombian Federal Court. One thing is for sure though, I would not report my V.A. Disability when it is not considered income.

“Anyway good to know we have a professional tax resource on the board. It’ll help a lot. As long as we get to talk about what the tax laws are rather than ‘not if you don’t tell them’.”
I can only theorize on this issue because of the meaning of the definition of V.A. Disability but as the law states so far it taxes on ‘income’ and again Disability is not defined as income.

jalva321
  7/30/2019 01:19 EST

@fecherklyn

You tell me "Really, as I am not aware of that? Hmm, let's analyze that for a minute. How exactly does DIAN find out about those assets? If you can answer that than you are a genius, and this argument is over."

"Well, you are the person calling yourself a "tax attorney", but here is the reply. The obligation to submit Formulario 160 is set out in Articulo 42 de la Ley 1739 de 2014 as an addendum to Articulo 574 de Estatuto Tributario. Accordingly, it is NOT information you choose to volunteer, it is a legal obligation that you "choose" to abide by, or ignore."

Exactly, it was reported, just what I assumed. As far as being a tax-attorney I don't read minds, you have to state the facts. Herein, it was reported due to the deposit. Hence, evidence of an asset deposited into a Colombian bank. You win as you stated how and the facts, and proved my point all in one.

"You are right, this post did commence with a query about VA tax liability. However, it quite normally evolved into a debate regarding the taxation of incomes originating from outside Colombia." My point is and continues to be on the basis of declaring V.A. Disability as income, which by all definitions is not 'income'.

Sincerely Thank you, your post will help a lot of people understand how deposits affect one via taxes, etc.

guestuser
  7/30/2019 02:08 EST

@jalva you’re being rather fast with the truth here. From a US perspective the disability payment isn’t considered income, but that doesn’t mean all jurisdictions will consider it such.

Let’s take another example. The interest and dividends paid into your IRA or 401k AS AND WHEN THEY OCCUR aren’t treated as income in the US. In Colombia, which doesn’t recognize the deferral it is. How does a Colombian accountant treat that? As income.

Others. Gifts of money in Colombia have totally different handling in Colombia than they do in the US. One of the biggest issues that an expat can run into in Colombia is receiving a bequest from an overseas relative and how that is treated.

Simply in Colombia receiving a cash flow, unless you can prove otherwise will be considered income unless you’ve documentation to the contrary. It doesn’t need a tax certificate proving its income, it’s pure cash flow.

Even simple things will trigger a response from a good Colombian auditor. When we were in the US my Colombian wife gave me some cash to pay into my US account as she’d put some purchases on my credit card for herself and her family. As it was cash into the account there was no record of its source. So the accountant will look at the cash flow and unless you can prove otherwise, it’s income. And telling them it’s not doesn’t resolve the issue. They want proof.

So in the disability case IF the accountant is shown the bank account he will see reoccurring receipts of money. He will say that cash flow is income (it’s cash that you are receiving for your benefit that is for your use and has no ties and restrictions on its usage). Your response would be ‘that’s not income’ and he’d then transfer the problem to you and ask you what it is then. There’s no Colombian edict that says that the disability isn’t income. Nor any statute that says Colombian law follows US tax law.

Your argument is that as the US doesn’t consider it income then there is no requirement for it to be reported. That fails because the Colombian system, like most other tax systems, requires more than just the reporting of income. Is the gambling gain in the US pure income? Even barter transactions can have tax impact. How those proceeds are treated then falls to the local tax system.

This isn’t a fault of the Colombians, nor a omission on their part nor a complexity no one understands. Once again the complexity of the US system in defining a non income income stream (we all know it’s income, it’s just for US tax purposes it’s defined as not) that then creates difficulties for US expats abroad. Generally all of the questions about tax treatment on this board, from blind trusts, to offshore vehicles, to state and local exemptions come from US expats. Lacking a tax treaty all the little loopholes and exemptions of the US system disappear.

As a tax attorney you must understand that tax rules, and whether items are considered income only apply to the jurisdiction that made the rule. In court in Colombia what evidence would you use to support your clients case? US law or US tax rules?

Your opposing Colombian counterpart might point out that the payments received had all of the characteristics under Colombian law as income.

jalva321
  7/30/2019 15:48 EST

@Paradise

Valid point, despite the fact that DIAN tax law doesn't point this out, doesn't mean it is lawful, as the definition of income is broad and introspective when taxes are concerned. Don't get me wrong, I get your point.

However, I always contend with legal issues so I'm willing to fight the good fight, should the issue ever arise. The day DIAN comes knocking is the day I intend to sue them in Court. As you know "Income" doesn't translate into "Cash Flow" unless its a corporation. Both are separate in accounting.

Colombian law doesn't stipulate this. As far as an auditor is concerned, that's a matter of debate because I can argue my V.A. Disability is not income, should they argue it is, then that is something to be taken up by the Courts, hence why they also have Courts.

There's a reason the IRS defines every single word, and that is because it understands that words carry consequences in terms of law. I don't know how Colombian Courts operate but I'm assuming they would also consider the issue.

As for gifts and other examples you stated, they are considered income. Even Social Security is defined as non-taxable income. However, as I stated before, Disability is not even defined as a non-taxable income. The SS administration doesn't even consider V.A. Disability income, otherwise one would not be able to collect both.

Also, I would never give them any source of information that would indicate my Disability payments, hence they'll get to see other sources of income but not my V.A. Disability. The day they do find it, and decide to penalize me, I'm open for a legal fight.

"Colombian wife gave me some cash to pay into my US account as she’d put some purchases on my credit card for herself and her family."

Even that is considered income from the U.S. perspective. So it would be moot.

Assuming he sees any information related to my Disability payments. Again, assuming that is my only source of income, it would put me in that predicament.

"There’s no Colombian edict that says that the disability isn’t income."

There is no Colombian edict that says it is, nor that it states that all forms of cash flow is income. Otherwise, why would they explain other forms of cash flow specifically. The law doesn't say that "ALL" cash flow is income. It has to, in order to ratify the edict that says that the disability is income.

"Nor any statute that says Colombian law follows US tax law."

Hence, If I hide my disability payments, than its US jurisdiction not theirs as they are not entitled to all of my information, unless I volunteer it. or it is apparent in my paperwork ergo my taxes in the U.S.

"Your argument is that as the US doesn’t consider it income then there is no requirement for it to be reported. That fails because the Colombian system, like most other tax systems, requires more than just the reporting of income."

Again, taxes from all legal perspectives, across all countries that I know is a volunteer system. It's what you give them, so if my country doesn't define something as such, I will contend that it isn't. Colombia is not entitled to my information, they are entitled to what I give them, and as long as the U.S. doesn't require it reported to them, guess what I have no need to report it to Colombia either.

"Is the gambling gain in the US pure income? Even barter transactions can have tax impact. How those proceeds are treated then falls to the local tax system."

Yes they are income even in the U.S.

"This isn’t a fault of the Colombians, nor a omission on their part nor a complexity no one understands. Once again the complexity of the US system in defining a non income income stream (we all know it’s income, it’s just for US tax purposes it’s defined as not) that then creates difficulties for US expats abroad. Generally all of the questions about tax treatment on this board, from blind trusts, to offshore vehicles, to state and local exemptions come from US expats. Lacking a tax treaty all the little loopholes and exemptions of the US system disappear."

Good point, that is why I would not share information that they are not entitled to. As per them finding out, good luck to them, as it is a matter of jurisdiction, and as you said were it the only source of income reported, then I would be in trouble.

"As a tax attorney you must understand that tax rules, and whether items are considered income only apply to the jurisdiction that made the rule. In court in Colombia what evidence would you use to support your clients case? US law or US tax rules?"

Simple, the definitions of income are not specific which can conflict with the definitions of income from another country. How one translates these words from one country to another have legal ramifications. There's a reason we have courts, otherwise what your implying is that government has obsolete power over the people. I would argue that since I had no need to report it in the U.S. then there no need to report it elsewhere.


"Your opposing Colombian counterpart might point out that the payments received had all of the characteristics under Colombian law as income."

And I would point out that they don't because I'm not required to report such source of cash as income in my country, hence it's not income. I would ask him to prove it is, and contest it legally. Assuming they find out, which they won't unless I volunteer the information or use it to explain it as a source of income to them.

Paradise, you are right in what you state, and I'm not arguing your points of view to state otherwise. I'm just following aspects of law I consider valid from a legal perspective. I would love to see law cases of expats fighting DIAN over certain laws I feel are contradictory, of which V.A. Disability in my opinion is, until they decide to specify otherwise in the law.

In short, you want to report more information to Colombia than what is required in the U.S. To me that's not how it works. Transparency is equivocal. If my origin of country doesn't require I report it, guess what! You're not entitled to it either, unless I choose to volunteer it.

WhoaNellie
  7/30/2019 17:16 EST

"If my origin of country doesn't require I report it, guess what! You're not entitled to it either, unless I choose to volunteer it."

This doesn't sound like good advice. Both Colombia and the USA assert the right to tax your WORLD-WIDE income - and they both have the means and the laws in their respective countries to back them up, although for now the IRS and not DIAN is one of the most ruthless and heartless collection agencies on the planet who will seize your assets, your everything, in a heartbeat...

What other "good advice" would a tax attorney give to a client who he already advised not to report what some country's tax agency regards as income? Can you just tell them, "Uh, I 'overlooked' reporting that, on the advice of my tax attorney" ??? Who would pay the fines or do the jail time, I wonder, the client or the tax attorney? No, that's a rhetorical question, I don't really wonder...

jalva321
  7/30/2019 20:05 EST

Let’s be clear non of this is advice to another, as I never claimed to offer any advice to anyone. As for what I would do, I have been doing it for 10 years now so just quit stating nonsensical jargon. What ruthless DIAN are you referring too? They are more corrupt then my left but. Stop speculating and BSing people. Your entitled to your nonsensical made up statements. Doesn’t mean I consider them valid and neither should anyone with an Attorney providing valid advice on the matter on their part. The reason anyone would seek legal advice would be to shield them from liability. So when exactly did I say it was advice to someone? Only a dumbass would assume that.

jalva321
  7/30/2019 20:05 EST

Let’s be clear non of this is advice to another, as I never claimed to offer any advice to anyone. As for what I would do, I have been doing it for 10 years now so just quit stating nonsensical jargon. What ruthless DIAN are you referring too? They are more corrupt then my left but. Stop speculating and BSing people. Your entitled to your nonsensical made up statements. Doesn’t mean I consider them valid and neither should anyone with an Attorney providing valid advice on the matter on their part. The reason anyone would seek legal advice would be to shield them from liability. So when exactly did I say it was advice to someone? Only a dumbass would assume that.

jalva321
  7/30/2019 20:09 EST

Jail time??? Again, more BS. Show me where exactly it states there jail time for the average filler? Not your million dollar in assets filer. And be concise don’t paraphrase or leave out the entire reference of your source. You are some kind of clown to write things you obviously have no idea of.

jalva321
  7/30/2019 20:09 EST

Jail time??? Again, more BS. Show me where exactly it states there jail time for the average filler? Not your million dollar in assets filer. And be concise don’t paraphrase or leave out the entire reference of your source. You are some kind of clown to write things you obviously have no idea of.

fecherklyn
  7/30/2019 20:39 EST

@jalva321

My post "My invitation from the DIAN" may interest you?

Much of the comments in this thread have related to the ability of the DIAN to enforce Colombian law and the force of Colombian law when confronted by laws in the USA that are not in full conformity.

WhoaNellie
  7/30/2019 20:50 EST

Wow, a "tax attorney" who can't even understand what he reads, and refer to it correctly!

I referred to the IRS as ruthless, not DIAN as you said.

No jail time? Do an internet search for
dian carcel evadir impuestos
...and read it for yourself, if you understand Spanish. Evasion of 500 million pesos in taxes gets you 3 years in jail and it goes up from there. Your straw man of referring to the "average filer" is quite useless in a country where the average income is well under 10K USD per year. I never said the "average filer" would or could go to jail.

Really, you can keep your head stuck in the sand but it's been evident since Duque's election that they intend to turn things around, not just with punishments for IVA evasion but for all tax evasion.

Naturally they are going after the big fish first - I never said anything different - but the fact is, the laws are on the books and Colombia not just by their words but by their actions, are tightening up, hoping to collect another 30 billion in taxes eventually by investing in new technology to identify and fine tax evaders.

It is you, sir, who are the clown and who it would appear is trying to impress the audience with your supposed knowledge and braggadocio of how to evade paying what one legally might owe in Colombia.

jalva321
  7/30/2019 23:39 EST

I speed read thru nonsensical crap because I don’t feel the need to argue the obvious. Perhaps, why I misread the statement. That doesn’t imply I can’t read. As for your other statements they have no relevance to my discussions, which you obviously didn’t take the time to read. The only clown is one that argues a point then back paddles to that same argument stating that’s not what they meant. If you can’t make a coherent sentence or argument on what’s being discussed and then claim that’s not what you meant, then hang it up clown. Wow, are you for real? Learn to articulate your arguments and follow discussions and stop acting so intelligent when you only come off as a buffoon.

jalva321
  7/30/2019 23:39 EST

I speed read thru nonsensical crap because I don’t feel the need to argue the obvious. Perhaps, why I misread the statement. That doesn’t imply I can’t read. As for your other statements they have no relevance to my discussions, which you obviously didn’t take the time to read. The only clown is one that argues a point then back paddles to that same argument stating that’s not what they meant. If you can’t make a coherent sentence or argument on what’s being discussed and then claim that’s not what you meant, then hang it up clown. Wow, are you for real? Learn to articulate your arguments and follow discussions and stop acting so intelligent when you only come off as a buffoon.

jalva321
  7/30/2019 23:50 EST

Your statement of prison doesn’t even apply to the average taxpayer. Do you even know how much in assets or income one has to own or make to owe 5 Million pesos? You would have to make millions. So how is that relevant to this discussion. Please stope trying to come off all knowing when it’s clear your stating nonsensical BS. Clown!

guestuser
  7/31/2019 00:54 EST

@jalva

Did you mean 5 million pesos, around $1,500? You wouldn’t need a lot of income or assets to generate that sort of liability.

jalva321
  7/31/2019 03:44 EST

Ok, I just spend a good of 6 hours going Colombian Tax Law. V.A. Disability is considered a benefit, and as Colombian DIAN defines a benefit, is the same as that of a pension. As per the taxable rate for a pension I believe it is 300 UVT at 15%. So I stand corrected, and as such the conclusion is that V.A. Disability is taxable as a pension.

jalva321
  7/31/2019 04:31 EST

My Apologies, and thank you for the correction Paradise. I was thinking in terms of USD. I stand corrected.

However, he is still wrong in terms of his statement of jail. It's not automatic or immediate as he makes it out to be. My point is... that arrest and jail time in Colombia is of last resort after and only after appeals, payment of fines and consent to pay are considered, judicial result from a judge, and finally only after the prosecutor mandates the order from the judge, can one be arrested for tax evasion. Therefore, the prosecutor has the final say, and only after the judge rules so.

The key elements that constitute tax evasion, and 'Not' arrest are:

Omission of assets in the tax returns;
Filing of inaccurate information in relation to assets;
Including non-existent liabilities in the tax returns in an amount exceeding COP (5,500.000).

Other criminal tax offenses include the failure to charge, collect and pay the applicable VAT, consumption tax or withholding tax. However, taxpayers that voluntarily file or correct their returns and provide payment of the tax due will be able to avoid criminal charges.

Ergo, Criminal conviction or arrest is not automatic of a criminal offense, as he pointed it would be. If the tax authority rejects the taxpayers appeal, the taxpayer can initiate the tribunal/court process. Finally, it seems the Colombian government wants is payment of its taxes, and gives the taxpayer almost various ways and processes to pay the taxes. Some cases even consider Ultimately, I've read cases where even the prosecutor did not initiate an arrest order after a judge ruled against the taxpayer, for whatever reasons that were not explained under seal.

My point is that criminal prosecution is of last resort and not as 'Dumbass' suggested.

Under Articles 348 to 354 of Law 906 of 2004, plea bargains are valid in Colombian criminal procedures. The objective of plea bargains is to obtain swift and adequate justice. This happens while the person is not under arrest.

In addition, Article 349 of Law 906 applies to offenses in which the accused has pro?ted from his wrongdoing. In this case, plea bargains are valid if the defendant has already reimbursed at least 50% of the profits unlawfully obtained and certain assurance of reimbursement of the remaining amount is obtained.

It's even common that Plea bargains between the public prosecutor and the defendant are binding on the court if no fundamental guarantees are breached.

Finally, this is of importance when faced with such charges. Under Article 742 of the Tax Statute, decisions made by the tax authorities must be based on evidence contained in the taxpayer's ?les and the information contained in the third-party reports. Any uncertainties that may arise due to the lack of evidence will be interpreted in a taxpayer's favour (Article 745, Tax Statute).

jalva321
  7/31/2019 04:59 EST

Correction Dividends are 300 UVT at 15%. Pensions and V.A. Disability stand at the standard income brackets. As for 2019 the brackets have changed link here for proposed reforms and info:

https://vonbilaw.com/2019/04/30/new-tax-reform-in-colombia-important-changes-in-2019-3/

Also, here is a nice calculator if you want to determine taxes all over the world.

https://www.irscalculators.com/international-tax-calculator

My thanks to Paradise for his patience with me, as I can be difficult, and WhoaNellie My apologies, for speed reading through your posts I just clearly read your posts and misinterpreted what you wrote, though I still think your a 'Dumbass' and fecherklyn for your contributions, which forced me to go over Colombian tax laws for 6 hours, just so I wouldn't have to take your word for it. ;) To the rest of you ungrateful SOB's enjoy our discussions, and hopefully something was gained.

saiid20
  7/31/2019 08:11 EST

jalva
re your last sentence...
how many enemies do you want???

WhoaNellie
  7/31/2019 10:49 EST

"... jail. It's not automatic or immediate as he makes it out to be. "

jalva321, I did no such thing.

I think you can bring useful information to the discussion, but it does not help when you mis-characterize what people wrote.

I'm glad you realize that US pensions and even VA Disability Pensions (which Colombia makes NO distinction about the source of any foreign pension) are indeed subject to taxation.

Here, for instance, a short discussion about foreign pensions, explicitly addressing the case of a foreigner who is a fiscal resident in Colombia, and explicitly stating the foreign pensions are taxable in their entirety, the same as "impuesto a la renta":

https://www.gerencie.com/pensiones-exentas-de-renta-en-colombia.html

"Renta exenta por las pensiones pagadas en el extranjero.

Hay residentes fiscales en Colombia que reciben pensiones casadas en el exterior, como un colombiano que se pensionó en el exterior, o un extranjero que es residente fiscal en Colombia.

Estas pensiones no gozan de exención de manera que en su totalidad son gravadas con el impuesto a la renta."

WhoaNellie
  7/31/2019 10:53 EST

By the way, jalva321, much of what you've said has already been posted on this forum, by me and others, for at least several years now...and we gave cites and/or links to the info.

Colombia has long made clear that the only pensions that get special tax treatment are Colombian pensions, and that any foreign pensions are not exempt but are taxable in their entirety as ordinary income.

Colombian Visa Services
Colombian Visa Services

Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
Learn More

Colombian Visa ServicesColombian Visa Services

Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
Learn More

Living in Colombia GuideLiving in Colombia Guide

Expats in Colombia discuss the pros and cons of living in Colombia. From the Colombian people to driving to taxes and more. As challenging as it can be, expats in Colombia clearly find that there is a lot to love about a country that is a surprising expat hot spot.

Colombia Forum Colombia Forum
Join our Colombia forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Colombia.

Contribute to Colombia Network Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Colombia.

Best Places to Live in Colombia Best Places to Live in Colombia

If you're considering a move to Colombia, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Colombia in 2023.

Healthcare in ColombiaHealthcare in Colombia

Our guide to healthcare in Colombia covers public and private healthcare in Colombia, hospitals, vaccinations, prescription medications and more.

Cost of Living in ColombiaCost of Living in Colombia

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Colombia.

Moving to ColombiaMoving to Colombia Guide

With its bustling cities, beautiful beaches and friendly Colombians, Colombia is an increasingly popular destination for expats of all ages. Expats in Colombia offer insightful tips for those moving to Colombia.

Real Estate in ColombiaReal Estate in Colombia

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Colombia.

Pros Cons of Living in ColombiaPros & Cons of Living in Colombia

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Colombia.

Retiring in ColombiaRetiring in Colombia

Advice for people retiring in Colombia.

10 Tips for Living in Colombia10 Tips for Living in Colombia

If you've recently arrived in Colombia, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Colombia.

Colombian Visa Services
Colombian Visa Services

Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
Learn More

Colombian Visa ServicesColombian Visa Services

Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
Learn More

Contribute to Colombia Network Contribute
Help others in Colombia by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Colombia.

GeoBlue
GeoBlue

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal