The needs of the country in tax and fiscal matters are not alien to the citizens, and for this reason, the consulting firm Cifras yconcepts, the Fiscal Observatory of the Javeriana University and the Fescol Foundation presented the results of a survey in which they asked citizens on the elements they consider should have the next tax reform.
(Read: Changes and dates to pay property and vehicle taxes in Bogotá).
The survey, in which 1,764 people participated, showed that a good percentage of Colombians would be willing to pay more if this brings social and even environmental benefits, but many also believe that the exemptions could be eliminated and thus attract more resources.
42% of those surveyed said that they would be willing to pay an additional tax if the State guarantees universal free education until finishing university, likewise, 40% stated that they agree that there are new taxes that guarantee that environmental pollution decreases, but on the other hand, only 28% would pay an additional tax on their salary or income if that guarantees that you will maintain your current occupation.
Regarding pensions, 48% agree with eliminate exempt income received by the Pension Fund Administrators (AFP), which according to Figures and Concepts, cost us $555,000 million, but likewise, only 18% agree with the proposal to eliminate the benefit received upon retirement or withdraw pension savings, and barely 16% would be willing to eliminate the benefit received when saving for the pension. However, more than half of those surveyed (56%) do think that people with pensions of more than $10 million should pay tax on their allowance.
(What’s more: Net tax collection grew 24% in January).
Other exemptions that Colombians would eliminate are related to the exempt income received by the construction sector for the construction of priority or social interest housing, which according to the information from the survey represents $1.4 billion a year, something that coincides with 45% of the participants, while 44% approve of eliminating the exempt income that banks receive for making loans for low-income housing, ($1.1 billion a year).
55% also believe that the benefit that companies have to deduct VAT or ICA and 54% think that exempt income should be eliminated for financial companies.
Likewise, for 42% of the participants in the Figures and Concepts survey, it would be appropriate to eliminate the exemptions and special rates received by forest plantations of crops such as rubber and oil palm.
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