When talking about taxes, the mind usually goes immediately to VAT, to the property or the income statement. They are visible taxes, which appear in invoices or calculate every year. But there are others, more silent and constant, which also affect the pocket: ‘invisible’ taxes.
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These levies They are present in some of the transactions that are made daily. That is, although they do not fall directly on the taxpayer’s income, they are included in what this purchase, pays or transfers.
According to Johanna Serrano, a teacher of the Areandina Public Accounting Program, although they are fully established by law, They usually go unnoticed by the average citizen.
In that sense, “The lack of clarity about its existence, a form of collection and purpose feeds the misinformation and hinders a more conscious relationship between taxpayers and the State. In addition, they impact the financial planning of the home, since they increase costs without a precise explanation at the point of payment,”said Serrano.
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Taxes
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Silent taxes
In that tax list the tax on financial movements (GMF) appears, better known as 4×1000. This applies a 0.4% rate on each retirement, transfer or bank transaction. Although it is reflected in the extracts, few people associate it with a national tax.
Another of those silent taxes is the National Consumer Tax (INC). This lien is 8% in restaurant services, bakeries, bars or homes. Although by law It must be discriminated against in the invoice, in many cases it is included in the price of the menu.
“People believe that they are only paying VAT, but they are also assuming Inc. Sometimes it is not even broken down, which prevents knowing the real cost of the product against tribute,” Add Serrano.
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4×1,000
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In the digital world, there is also tax burden that many ignore. Services such as Netflix, Spotify, Uber or Youtube Premium are taxed with VAT of 19%which increases the final value of the subscription. This applies automatically and is included in the cost of the rate.
Similarly, ‘invisible’ taxes are present in products such as gasoline, tobacco and liquors. Only the fuel pays three types of taxes: the national, the departmental surcharge and the carbon tax.
The expert recalls that taking into account this type of rates can contribute to a better operation of the tax system. “Tax pedagogy is key. It is not just about charging, but about informing. The consumer must know what he pays, what this tribute encourages and how his health and pocket impacts”he added.
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