Tax on Canadian expats in Colombia

You do not become a tax resident/fiscal resident of Colombia, and thus subject to their taxing your world-wide income, unless and until you have spent more than 183 days in-country in any 365 day period.

So there aren't any tax implications for your situation, from Colombia's point of view.

Here is the rule, in Spanish, straight from DIAN, the national taxing authority:

https://www.dian.gov.co/impuestos/perso … dente.aspx

If you do an intenet search for

colombia residencia fiscal

...you will get a number of hits all saying the same thing,

If you keep a residence in Canada, and get all your income in Canada, you are a resident for tax purposes  in Canada only, Not Colombia_ per the Colombian - Canadian tax treaty, no matter how much time you spend in Colombia.

Still, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you not invest anything or keep a lot of money in Colombia( though some Americans I know, who are extremely well off, and not covered by a similar trearty do and pay " zeo" tax on their US assets)

I wouldnt go talking to Colombian accountants, because they know very little about the Basic Colombian tax laws as they apply to expats, let alone the Canadian_Colombian tax treaty. You will jyst be wasting your time and getting more confused.

Also, dont rely on people on these sites. Do your own research onlne.

Best to do your own detailled research. All available online.

Also, dont rely on people on these sites.-@nico peligro

I was dumb enough to buy a house 12 years ago in Colombia.  -nico peligro 2022-08-30 03:10:29

Maybe that is why, in 8 years living in Colombia, and 16 years travelling here  -nico peligro 2020-091-9 16:04:27

Here is a guy I always use in Medellin. He is working on my renewal now  -nico peligro 2021-03-25 19:09:30

You recognize your own **** for buying a house 12 years ago. You also have "lived" in Colombia for 8 years, but in 2021 you are still  paying a lawyer to renew your lowly M visa.  Why don't you connect the dots for us Peligro, and tell us why you have not established permanent residency after all these years living in Colombia: more "***"?

I wouldnt go talking to Colombian accountants, because they know very little about the Basic Colombian tax laws as they apply to expats, let alone the Canadian_Colombian tax treaty. You will jyst be wasting your time and getting more confused.- @nico peligro

So, would you go talking to a Colombia lawyer instead, or do you have a Canadian prepare your Colombia tax filing?  The lawyer you use for your visa renewal--born and educated in Colombia-- refers to himself on his English-only site  as a "famous published author" who published a book on "civil marriage". "His expertise" includes:

the subjects of civil, commercial and financial law, banking operations, commercial contracts, corporations, divorce and annulment of marriage civil and catholic, franchise agreements, commercial trusts and consumer law, real state, estates, criminal law, labor law, background check, immigration and others.

Here is the kicker regarding Peligro's visa lawyer:

Only lawyer in Colombia that currently represents parties in cases regarding custody and rights over pets during process of divorces.

Whoa! I want him to process my visa.

& finally:

Want to bet money on that?

In any case: Thanks, but no thanks.

My recommendation to prospective Colombia expats is to refer to what the news site Colombia Reports once said to the Medellín Guru, when Jeff recommended that they not read Colombia Reports.

https://colombiareports.com/urgent-warn … -colombia/

With all due respect N.Barley, I dont have a clue what you are going on about.

Whether I made a mistake buying and selling a house here 12 years agonis irrelevant. W e all make mistajes and learn from them

I avoid talking to lawyers and accountants in Colombia, but I have been getting a visa sucessfully for 10 years..

I have purposely avoided getting an "R" visa until now, but because of the increasing cost, increased documentation and shorter tiene period of an " M" visa I will be elgible for a 5 year " R" visa probably get one next year.

The above are my own words..dont know why the línes are there.

If the OP wants to know what it is really like for a Canadian living here he can PM me.

PS

Most of what you wrote on there is BS..I dont know where you got all the stuff on the lawyer.

Anyway the guy I used is expensive but he got a Visa for me and several people many, many times..I tried other People,recommended by others, but they had less experience, made me get a bunch of extra documents I didnt need, and very poor comunications...one place wouldnt even let me phone the lawyer directly.Actually tried 2 or 3 others during the period..always some issue. I didnt want to.post names here because I got in trouble before.

Besides that, Visas and taxes are two different unrelated subjects..dont know why you are mixing them. I think that is called a " strawman" argument.

Anyway, if I get an "R" visa good for 5 years next time wont be an issue.

As far as the basic information Osage Archie gave, I never meant to demean it, accurate information ( you can find the same info. On the KPMG, Deloite or PWC sutes in English)  it is a good place to start, but my point is he would also look at the Canadian Colombian tax agreement and do his own research..detailesd research..and forget about getting Colombian accountants or ANY accountant or espescially lawyer involved. It would just create a mess and headache and he would be Led down the garden path. 

And most important, talk to people who have actually lived here long term, espescially Canadians, for the real oon the ground experience.