"O pagamos nómina o impuestos": Consejo Gremial por impuesto al patrimonio

The recent decision by the Constitutional Court to partially suspend the wealth tax for certain sectors has sparked a strong reaction from Colombia's productive sector. While non-profit organizations and companies in liquidation receive temporary relief, trade associations warn that the measure continues to pose a direct threat to the financial stability of thousands of businesses. Natalia Gutiérrez, president of the National Business Council, was emphatic in an interview with Mañanas Blu: "It was a choice between paying payroll or paying the tax." Impact of the wealth tax on businesses Although the Court took a first step by partially suspending the tax, Gutiérrez considers the decision insufficient. She explained that the decree supporting this tax has structural gaps and does not comply with the necessary legal procedures for its implementation. "There are fundamental questions that persist and affect the entire productive sector of the country," stated the business leader, who also questioned the justification for the estimated revenue of 8.4 trillion pesos. The impact doesn't discriminate based on company size. According to the Business Council, the tax affects both large corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), many of which have assets exceeding 10 billion pesos but lack immediate liquidity. Gutiérrez cited the energy sector as an example: “There are solar power generation projects under construction, without revenue, and today they don't have the funds to pay this tax.” This situation could hinder strategic investments, especially in the context of an energy transition and in the face of climate phenomena like El Niño. Companies in crisis: between salaries and tax obligations One of the most critical points raised by the business association is the lack of tax planning. They claim the tax was implemented without giving companies time to reorganize their finances. The direct consequence has been a dramatic decision for many companies: prioritizing payroll over tax compliance. “Many decided to pay their employees,” confirmed the president of the Business Council. This scenario, according to analysts, not only compromises the stability of companies but also jeopardizes employment and the country's competitiveness in the medium term. Private Universities: Partial Relief and Persistent Uncertainty In contrast, private universities—classified as non-profit entities—received some relief after the provisional suspension of the second installment of the tax. Óscar Domínguez, executive director of ASCUN, explained that the measure represents significant relief for the education sector. “Approximately 70 billion pesos are frozen, which allows for some relief in hiring faculty and maintaining academic infrastructure,” he noted. The previous impact, however, had already been considerable. Many institutions had to allocate resources from student tuition to cover the first installment of the tax, directly affecting academic operations. What the universities did was take part of those funds and pay it through a tax, because it was the only way to comply, Domínguez explained. A Landscape of Legal and Economic Uncertainty Despite the partial suspension, doubts persist about the future of the tax. Businesses and universities face a “legal limbo,” with no clarity on whether they will have to pay future installments or if there will be refunds for amounts already paid. Furthermore, government revenue has fallen short of expectations. Of the 4 trillion projected for the first installment, only about 2.4 trillion were collected, highlighting difficulties in the business sector's ability to pay. The National Business Council insists on the need for a comprehensive review. “Hopefully, the Court will adopt a definitive solution that does not affect investment, employment, and competitiveness,” Gutiérrez concluded. Now radio is not only heard, it's also seen! At Blu, we put a face to opinion, debate, humor, sports, and entertainment. We put a face to radio! Follow our live broadcast. Live news from Colombia and the world. Subscribe [FREE] to our YouTube channel: http://bit.ly/2CFF7Fo and find the latest news in Colombia, the world, and much more. BLU RADIO LIVE TODAY | #WePutAFaceToRadio Follow us on Google News: http://bit.ly/2lM3iLH Follow us on social media: Facebook:   / bluradiocolombia   Instagram: @BluRadio   / bluradio   Twitter: @BluRadioCo   / bluradioco   Today's latest news in Colombia: https://www.bluradio.com