With the new tax reform project, it is expected to increase a series of taxes to different economic sectors through which a collection of $ 26.3 billion is sought to finance a part of the General Budget of the Nation (PGN) 2026.
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Therefore, this increase in taxes focuses mainly on measures designed to progressively reduce tax spending on some taxes and measures aimed at taxing negative externalities linked to contamination of fossil fuels and carbon emissions, as well as drinking drinks Alcoholic, tobacco and other goods and services.
“In this way, it seeks to strengthen the equity and efficiency of the tax system while promoting more responsible and healthy habits contributing to the country’s environmental and health sustainability”, Highlights the project.
Under this context, one of the sectors that would have the greatest impacts of being approved this articulated is that of fuels, since it would generate an increase in both the price of gasoline gallon and in diesel as of 2026. This has been warned, David Jiménez Mejía, executive president of the Confederation of retail distributors of fuel and energy (Comce).
“In an initial calculation, with the current data of the price structure, current and diesel gasoline, the change in the monophasic to multiphasic structure in VAT for current gasoline, as well as the increase in the rate and the collection of tax on biofuel The union leader highlighted.
In addition, he mentioned that with the full 19%rate, which will be gradual, the increase would be $ 1,825 per gallon of gasoline and $ 1,087 per diesel gallon. Likewise, with the increase in the rate in the carbon tax, in just this tax, the rise will be of $ 187 per gallon of current and $ 208 per diesel.
In white silver, what Jiménez points out is that by 2026, the country will have a gallon of gasoline $ 1,021 more expensive and diesel $ 658, just for tax increase.
“This without the other increases due to indexation and entry to the producer who defines the government in next year. The impact will be important for all Colombians”Jiménez said.
Effects of tax reform on fuels.
Courtesy: Istock
95% of mobility in Colombia is done with fossil fuel
Another of the data high that 95% of the fuel use for vehicles in the country is given by fossils.
“From our sector, we can affirm that almost all of what is transported in Colombia – it is products, goods or people – is done through automotive land transport. The mobility matrix in Colombia is almost 95% fossil and in this percentage, diesel and gasoline each represent, 48% and 52% of consumption, respectively”Jiménez Mejía added.
The official spokesman for the sector made up of about 6,400 service stations also noted that the behavior of the demand for these energy tends to be “inelastic” in the face of price variation. This means that good is still consumed, Almost in the same proportion, despite the increase in the price.
“Liquid fuels are cataloged as a first -need good. This means that they are part of what is understood as” basic family basket “calculated by the DANE monthly, to define the average life cost of Colombians. Tax these essential assets with greater taxes, it will make the cost of living”, Said the president of Comce.
With this initiative that was filed before the Congress of the Republic, the Government expects to raise $ 2.6 billion in 2026 and $ 7.2 billion onwards, from 2027. Given this it turned on the alarms when mentioning the impact that this measure on the cost of living of Colombians, the family basket and the consumer price index, which will undoubtedly be very significant.
This is the stabilization background deficit of fuel prices.
Courtesy: Istock
What effects would it have for the stabilization of fuel prices?
If the tax reform is approved, experts in the energy sector such as Sergio Cabrales ensures that one of the largest impacted in addition to fuel It aims to rise at $ 1,600 per gallon the price of diesel.
In addition, he stressed that, with the tax reform, the price of the ACPM could increase around 12%, exceeding $ 12,200 per gallon. During 2026 and 2027 A 10% rate will apply on the entrance to the producer; As of January 1, 2028, the ACPM will be taxed with the general VAT rate, which will significantly increase its final price.
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But this would not only affect fossils, Cabrales mentions since biofuels would also enter the group of taxes with VAT.
“In the case of biodiesel, the reform project establishes that, since January 1, 2027, biofuels of plant or animal origin destined for the mixture with ACPM will be taxed with the general VAT rate”Said Cabrales.
Finally, the bill contemplates an adjustment in the National Carbon Tax. From 2026, the rate will be $ 42,609 per ton of equivalent CO2, which represents $ 432 per Gallon of ACPM.
“Together, these measures will imply that the price of the ACPM exceeds $ 12,200 per gallon. This increase will not only directly impact consumers, but will raise the costs of transporting and food transport, moving to the final prices of the basic basket”The expert said.
Leidy Julieth Ruiz Clavijo
Portfolio journalist
