Colombia: Key Pronouncements in Transfer Pricing

October 17, 2024

In the Colombian context, recent court rulings and pronouncements reinforce the need to review and adjust Transfer Pricing policies in order to comply with current regulations. Relevant aspects for multinational companies and taxpayers operating under this regime are discussed below.

New Rulings on the Nullity of Concepts Related to the Simple Regime

The Council of State in Colombia has issued a ruling on the nullity of concepts that affected the application of the simple tax regime. This regime seeks to simplify tax obligations for certain taxpayers. However, the Transfer Pricing implications for those companies with international operations should not be underestimated. The ruling indicates that any concept that affects the correct assessment of intercompany operations can be reviewed, and if inconsistencies are found, these concepts could be declared null and void, as dictated by the recent ruling.

Importance of Regulatory Compliance

The regulatory framework in Colombia, with special emphasis on the recent ruling of the Constitutional Court (C-540 of 2023), stresses the importance of transparency and proper documentation of Transfer Pricing. Lack of clarity in the documentation may lead to penalties or nullity of tax assessments. In addition, compliance with these rules ensures that related party transactions are aligned with market values, thus avoiding penalties and significant adjustments by the tax authority.

Implications for Multinational Companies

For multinational companies operating in Colombia, Transfer Pricing is a key tool to ensure tax compliance and avoid double taxation. However, recent case law establishes that special attention must be paid to the correct application of Transfer Pricing under the simplified regime, as the risk of nullity of concepts that are not well documented has increased.

Call to Action

It is crucial that companies review their Transfer Pricing policies and documentation to ensure that they comply with Colombian regulations and the new judicial provisions. If you need detailed advice on how to optimize your Transfer Pricing and avoid penalties, contact our experts at TPC Group.

 

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