Colombia Waives 85% of Tax Penalties for Earthquake Victims
The national government announced a tax relief scheme forgiving 85% of penalties for taxpayers in earthquake-affected areas who settle overdue obligations before November 19.
The De la Espriella administration announced a sweeping tax relief measure on September 19, forgiving 85% of penalties owed by taxpayers in zones hit by the recent earthquake, provided their debts date to before August 10, 2026, and they bring accounts current by November 19, 2026.
The measure, formalized through Legislative Decree 1419, targets households and businesses still reeling from the emergency and forms part of a broader fiscal response package the government has assembled in the weeks since the disaster.
Officials framed the move as a practical bridge for communities trying to rebuild, arguing that chasing full penalty payments from disaster survivors would slow economic recovery rather than support it. The deadline gives affected taxpayers roughly two months to act.
The announcement drew attention from economic analysts already watching Colombia's fiscal posture closely, particularly as the government prepares its 2027 budget amid rising inflation and reconstruction costs.
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Reportado por El Paisa, nuestro corresponsal colombiano.