Colombia enacted Legislative Decree 1474 on 29 December 2025, raising VAT on alcoholic beverages to 19% from 5%, imposing 19% VAT on online gambling, and reducing the VAT‑free threshold for low‑value imports from USD 200 to USD 50. The decree also allocates 5% of the alcoholic beverage VAT to departments. These measures aim to stabilise public finances after the 2026 budget rejection.
From 29 December 2025, alcoholic beverages are subject to a 19% VAT, up from the previous 5% rate.
Five percent of the 19% VAT on alcoholic beverages is allocated to departments, in line with Article 33 of Law 1816 of 2016.
The 19% VAT on online gambling, based on gross gaming revenue, applies from 29 December 2025.
Effective 29 December 2025, the VAT‑free threshold for low‑value imports via postal or express delivery is reduced to USD 50, with goods above that amount subject to import VAT.
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iGamingBusiness · about 14 hours ago
Colombia’s Constitutional Court suspended the emergency decree that imposed a 19% VAT on online gambling, leaving operators subject only to the standard 15% GGR tax. The suspension, effective from 29 January 2026, will remain until the court’s plenary chamber issues a final decision. The 19% VAT, originally introduced in February 2025 on deposits, expired on 31 December 2025 before being shifted to GGR.
ColombiaOne.com · about 1 month ago
Colombia will impose a 10% VAT on gasoline and diesel from Jan 1 2026, alongside a 90‑peso per gallon gasoline and 99‑peso per gallon diesel price adjustment. The government also raised the minimum wage by 22.7% to 1.75 million pesos, while inflation is projected to stay above 4% by year‑end, prompting potential price‑control measures.
iGaming Business · about 1 month ago
Colombia’s government has shifted the 19% value‑added tax on online gambling from deposits to gross gaming revenue (GGR) for the 2026 fiscal year. The emergency decree, issued after the 2025 Financing Bill failed, re‑allocates the tax to GGR, reducing the effective burden on operators from up to 70% of real income to about 34% of gross revenue. The change is expected to fill a COP16.3 trillion budget gap for 2026 but may face legal challenges.
Bloomberg Tax · about 17 hours ago
The Guyanese Ministry of Finance announced the 2026 budget speech on Jan. 26, outlining several VAT and tax changes. Key measures include removing VAT on locally made furniture, jewelry, security equipment, and specific vehicles, maintaining a zero excise tax on petroleum, extending the end date for adjusted freight charges to Dec. 31, and increasing the monthly old‑age pension to 46,000 GYD effective Jan. 1.
Bloomberg Tax · 3 days ago
Venezuela’s official gazette published Decree No. 5,207 on Jan. 9, extending the temporary VAT exemption for import and sale of hydrocarbon fuels and additives until Jan. 11, 2027, effective from Jan. 12, 2026. The decree applies to state, state‑owned, mixed‑ownership, and private companies under the Organic Hydrocarbons Law, establishes documentation requirements, outlines customs procedures, and mandates semi‑annual evaluation by SENIAT.
Canadian Accountant · 3 days ago
This commentary highlights five significant Canadian GST/HST court decisions from 2025, covering topics from tobacco sales to insurance, medical services, optional term extensions, and Airbnb-listed condo sales. The rulings clarify exemption status, input tax credit eligibility, and the treatment of new supplies, providing guidance for tax planning and compliance in 2026.
