Decree 1474 Enacts Further Tax Measures in Colombia's Economic Emergency

As part of the ongoing economic emergency declared by the Petro government—following Decree 1390 of December 31—the Ministry of Finance issued Decree 1474 of December 2025. The decree introduces tax hikes including 19% VAT on liquors and online games, reduced thresholds for asset taxes, surcharges on financial income, levies on hydrocarbons and coal extraction, adjustments to cigarette taxes, and temporary reductions in penalties for overdue debts to support the 2026 General Budget.

Decree 1474 builds on prior emergency measures to address fiscal needs. Key changes include:

  • VAT on liquors and games: A 19% VAT applies to liquors, wines, aperitifs (previously under consumption tax), affecting departmental monopolies. Online games of chance (domestic or foreign) face 19% VAT on gross income (total bets minus prizes paid bimonthly).

  • Asset tax: Threshold lowered from 3.6 billion to 2 billion pesos, with progressive rates up to 5% for assets exceeding 100 billion pesos.

  • Financial sector: Additional 15 percentage points on income and complementary taxes, plus a 15% surtax applied ongoing.

  • Hydrocarbons and coal: Temporary tax on first sales or exports within/from Colombia.

  • Cigarettes and tobacco: Consumption tax excludes artisanal chicote; Dane certifies taxable bases.

  • Debt relief: Penalties and interest reduced temporarily for tax, customs, and exchange debts overdue by December 31, 2025, until March 31, 2026.

These aim to fund 2026 budgetary shortfalls, though long-term impacts are unclear.

Makala yanayohusiana

Realistic depiction of Colombia's Health Minister defending alcohol and tobacco VAT hike at a meeting amid governors' protests over autonomy and revenues.
Picha iliyoundwa na AI

Government defends alcohol and tobacco tax hike amid governors' opposition

Imeripotiwa na AI Picha iliyoundwa na AI

Colombia's Health Ministry backs the VAT increase on alcohol and tobacco from 5% to 19%, arguing it will protect public health by curbing consumption and related deaths. However, up to 20 governors oppose it, claiming the measure violates territorial autonomy and cuts revenues for health and education. The government has called a meeting for January 19, 2026, in Bogotá to clarify Decree 1474 of 2025.

Following the December 19 announcement of plans for an economic emergency decree, the Colombian government of Gustavo Petro on December 31 issued the tax package via Decree 1390, targeting 11 trillion pesos to address a 16.3 trillion fiscal deficit after Congress rejected reforms. Finance Minister Germán Ávila noted it covers much but not all 2026 needs, impacting liquor, cigarettes, patrimony, finance, and imports.

Imeripotiwa na AI

Finance Minister Germán Ávila announced the declaration of an economic emergency following the failure of the tax reform, aiming to fund $16 trillion for the 2026 National General Budget. The draft decree includes taxes on assets, alcohol, cigarettes, and a special levy on hydrocarbons and coal. Business guilds such as Andi, ACM, and ACP question its constitutionality and effectiveness.

Colombia's Finance Minister Germán Ávila defended the Economic and Social Emergency, stating that without it the state couldn't meet fundamental obligations. He assured that the measures won't affect the family basket or vulnerable sectors. Funds will go toward health, security, and key subsidies.

Imeripotiwa na AI

Following President Gustavo Petro's declaration of a 30-day economic and social emergency, Colombia's Senate has approved summoning all ministers to a political control debate on December 29. The hybrid session, set amid legislative recess, aims to examine the fiscal crisis and the decree's implications after Congress rejected tax reforms.

The Constitutional Court suspended President Gustavo Petro's economic emergency decree from December 2025, an unprecedented move halting measures like a tax reform by decree. Huila representatives in Congress voiced divided opinions on the fiscal, legal, and political ramifications of this ruling. Some hail it as a check on an unconstitutional 'decree blitz,' while others decry the constraints on tackling the economic crisis.

Imeripotiwa na AI

Colombia's Ministry of Commerce published a draft decree to raise import tariffs on vehicles and motorcycles powered by gasoline or diesel engines, aiming to promote clean technologies and bolster the national industry. The proposal sets 40% for cars and 35% for motorcycles, but guilds like Asopartes and Andemos warn it will raise prices and halt the sector's recovery in 2025.

Ijumaa, 30. Mwezi wa kwanza 2026, 14:48:27

Constitutional court provisionally suspends economic emergency decree

Jumanne, 27. Mwezi wa kwanza 2026, 23:15:36

Finance Ministry publishes decree eliminating 1.5% withholding on card payments

Jumatatu, 26. Mwezi wa kwanza 2026, 19:19:51

Magistrate Camargo proposes suspending economic emergency

Jumapili, 25. Mwezi wa kwanza 2026, 19:26:06

Government activates decree to safeguard national power system

Jumatano, 21. Mwezi wa kwanza 2026, 03:37:22

Seventeen governors rebel against Petro's liquor tax decree

Jumapili, 18. Mwezi wa kwanza 2026, 22:55:01

Government starts actions against governors for ignoring economic emergency

Jumamosi, 3. Mwezi wa kwanza 2026, 02:13:19

Fiscal Risks and Anti-Inflation Measures After Colombia's 2026 Minimum Wage Decree

Ijumaa, 26. Mwezi wa kumi na mbili 2025, 02:14:04

Petro-Uribe Clash Intensifies Over Colombia's Economic Emergency Decree

Jumatano, 24. Mwezi wa kumi na mbili 2025, 11:04:32

Government declares 30-day economic and social emergency

Jumapili, 21. Mwezi wa kumi na mbili 2025, 04:17:22

Economic Emergency Decree Signed and Filed Amid Deficit Crisis

 

 

 

Tovuti hii inatumia vidakuzi

Tunatumia vidakuzi kwa uchambuzi ili kuboresha tovuti yetu. Soma sera ya faragha yetu kwa maelezo zaidi.
Kataa