Colombia Widens Tax Debate With 19% Betting VAT Still Pending
Finance Minister Miguel Gómez Martínez and Vice President José Manuel Restrepo met government lawmakers on November 11. The Finance Ministry confirmed that the meeting covered the fiscal package and possible amendments.
"But alternatives are welcome," Gómez said. Other political groups will also be invited to discussions.
A Dispute Over the First Debate
Two senators were initially named to prepare the bill: David Barguil of the Conservative Party and Carlos Mario Farelo of Cambio Radical. Opposition lawmakers objected to the limited number of rapporteurs. The government subsequently agreed to expand the group, Caracol Radio reported.
The relevant dates are:
| Date | Development |
|---|---|
| October 29 | Tax reform filed as Bill 477/2026C |
| November 10 | First Senate rapporteurs named |
| November 11 | Government opens talks; opposition announces protests |
| November 19 | Planned demonstrations against the fiscal package |
Senator Diana Carolina Corcho Mejía announced the November 19 demonstrations on behalf of Pacto Histórico. Her bloc opposes the wider reform, arguing that it would place additional costs on ordinary households. Her remarks were reported by Infobae on November 11.
The Gambling Clause Has Not Been Rewritten
Article 41 remains in the text registered with the Chamber of Representatives. It sets a 19% VAT on money deposited into online gambling accounts, using the deposit divided by 1.19 as the taxable base.
15M covered the original proposal on November 4. Colombia also has a 16% consumption tax for online gambling in 2026, calculated using GGR. Tax authority DIAN explained the existing rules in July.
For a COP250,000 deposit (about $76), the proposed VAT formula gives COP39,916 (about $12). The figures were calculated by 15M using the official exchange rate of COP3,297.07 per US dollar, valid on November 11–12.
The deposit VAT is still a draft measure. Its first committee vote remains pending.
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