Colombia's wealth gap is fueled by tax evasion among the super-rich. They exploit loopholes and hide assets, while the poor pay proportionally more taxes.
Colombia's Super-Rich and Tax Evasion: A New Yorker's Take
In Colombia, extreme wealth and social inequality go hand in hand. The country’s richest have evaded taxes for decades, widening the gap and affecting millions in poverty. Time to spill the cafecito on this mess.
The Paradox: Wealthy Paying Less
Oxfam's January 2025 report drops a truth bomb: Colombian billionaires pay proportionally less in taxes than the poorest. The richest 1% paid an average of 17 cents in taxes per dollar of income up until 2021, while the poorest 50% paid 21.1 cents. Can you believe that? It’s like ordering a fancy avocado toast and finding out you’re paying more for the plate than the billionaire next door pays for their yacht fuel.
How Do They Do It? Loopholes and Havens
These financial Houdinis use sophisticated strategies to dodge taxes. They exploit loopholes, hide assets, and benefit from laws granting them exemptions. Luis Carlos Reyes, former director of Colombia’s DIAN, notes that tax evasion represents nearly 8% of the country’s annual GDP. That's like flushing billions down the drain every year!
Tax Amnesties: Confessions of the Ultra-Rich
DIAN reports reveal that those admitting to tax evasion are often the wealthiest. They use tax amnesties to regularize hidden assets. Shockingly, 97% of participants in the 2019 amnesty belonged to the richest 5% of Colombians. It’s like they’re saying, “Oops, forgot about those millions stashed in Panama!”
The Panama Connection
Speaking of Panama, it's been a favorite tax haven for the Colombian elite. Juliana Londoño from UCLA points out that the use of complex structures, like trusts or companies abroad, is common among the wealthiest. Tax secrecy allowed them to easily avoid taxes. But now, with automatic exchange agreements, DIAN is catching on, revealing billions in undeclared assets.
Family Businesses: A Tax Shelter?
Another trick? Forming family businesses to deduct personal expenses as business costs. It’s a classic move – turning that family vacation into a “business retreat.” Reyes explains that some have family businesses in low-tax countries providing fictitious services to Colombian companies, reducing profits and tax payments.
A Progressive Tax System: The Dream
Gabriel Zucman, a French economist, suggests a minimum tax on the wealthiest individuals, based on wealth rather than income. Colombia already has a wealth tax, but challenges remain in combating evasion. Londoño argues that the state’s most important tool for redistribution is failing to meet its objectives.
So, What's the Deal?
Colombia's super-rich are masters of tax evasion, widening the wealth gap. They exploit loopholes, hide assets in tax havens, and use complex financial structures. It's a game of cat and mouse, with the tax authorities playing catch-up. But hey, at least they're trying, right? Maybe one day, Colombia can level the playing field and ensure everyone pays their fair share. Until then, keep your eyes peeled and your wallets close, folks!
