BUSINESS

Colombia’s 2026 Tax and Business Reforms: What Foreign Investors Need to Know

Published

1 month ago

August 13, 2026

Max

On August 7, 2026, Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in as President of Colombia, beginning a four-year term that runs to 2030. He campaigned on lower taxes, a smaller state, and a friendlier climate for investment, and that agenda is now taking shape. If you are a foreign national, an expat, or an investor with money or plans in Colombia, the changes his government has proposed could affect what it costs, and how much paperwork it takes, to do business here.

Before we get into the details, one thing is worth being honest about: almost none of this is law yet. A Colombian president cannot rewrite the tax code on his own. The government’s flagship tax reform is not expected to reach Congress until September 2026, and even then it has to pass a legislature that came out of the March elections badly split. So read what follows as the direction things are heading, not a rulebook that is already in force.

A new approach: “less tax, more jobs”

The campaign boiled its economic pitch down to a slogan, “menos impuestos, más empleo,” or “less tax, more jobs,” built around the idea of making Colombia more competitive for both local and foreign capital. The goal, as the new government describes it, is to take weight off the productive sector, bring in private investment, and push more of the workforce into formal employment.

That is a real break from the outgoing Petro government, which filed its own tax reform aiming to raise close to 21.9 billion pesos through higher rates and a wider wealth tax. De la Espriella’s team has come out against that reform and wants Congress to shelve it. It is a point worth keeping straight, because the Colombian press is covering two tax reforms at once that pull in opposite directions, and it is easy to mix up whose is whose.

Fewer taxes, less paperwork

The heart of the new plan, laid out by designated Finance Minister Miguel Gómez, is simplification. Right now the tax authority, the DIAN, administers around 15 national taxes. The proposal would cut that down to three: income tax, domestic VAT, and external VAT.

The thinking is that decades of patched-together rules have made compliance expensive, opened the door to evasion, and mostly rewarded the people who can afford good advisors. Officials have pointed to evasion running at roughly a third on VAT and around 40 percent on income tax as proof the current setup is not working. A simpler system, they argue, is easier for a business to comply with and easier for the state to police.

Stability and a bill aimed at foreign money

Two ideas stand out if you invest across borders.

The first is a tax stability pact: a promise to leave the tax rules untouched for about ten years. Colombia reforms its tax code often, and that unpredictability is its own kind of cost. For anyone planning around a five or ten year horizon, knowing the rules will not move can matter as much as the rate itself.

The second is a dedicated bill to attract foreign investment, meant to win back investor confidence with simpler rules and fewer tax distortions. If it lands the way it has been described, this is the piece of the agenda that speaks most directly to foreign-owned businesses and international investors.

Corporate tax, the 4×1000, and targeted breaks

On actual rates, things are less settled. Corporate income tax currently sits at 35 percent, and the wider debate, including among former finance ministers, has floated bringing that back toward 30 percent. The catch, as most serious voices point out, is that a cut like that would need to be paid for by trimming existing tax breaks, so expect this to be one of the more contested parts of any bill.

The campaign also promised to phase out the 4×1000 financial transactions tax, and floated a few targeted measures: a simplified regime for the digital economy, meaning programmers, developers and digital creators, plus tax incentives for companies that formally hire women and young people entering the workforce.

Cutting red tape

Away from taxes, a lot of the agenda is about deregulation and shrinking the state. That includes a review of the big regulators, Invima, the ICA, the superintendencies and environmental licensing, with the aim of speeding up approvals. It also includes a broader push to reduce the size of the state and merge overlapping agencies, much of which would have to run through the National Development Plan because it needs legislation to happen. On day one, the government also moved to freeze public spending so the fiscal squeeze runs alongside the tax overhaul.

For a business owner, the promise is lighter regulation and faster procedures. How much of that shows up in practice depends on the laws that pass and on how the agencies actually behave once they are told to change.

The catch

A few things keep this from being a done deal.

Timing is one. The government has said its first move is an administrative belt-tightening plan, with the formal tax reform coming in September. Nothing changes just because a new president has taken office.

Congress is another. The March elections left the legislature fragmented, with no clear majority behind the new administration. Lower rates, a smaller state, a stability pact: all of it needs votes that are not guaranteed.

And then there is the math. Analysts note Colombia is looking at a fiscal adjustment of around five points of GDP by 2030. That sits awkwardly next to a promise of lower taxes, and it is fair to ask how deep any cuts can really go without something to offset them.

What to do about it now

For expats, foreign nationals and investors, the sensible move is to plan for change without betting on headlines. The direction is pro-business and focused on simplification, but the details that actually matter, the rates, the thresholds, the transition rules, will not be clear until a bill is on the table, probably from September onward.

Now is a good time to look hard at your Colombian tax exposure, your corporate structure and your investment plans with local counsel who can tell you how a reform like this would hit your particular situation. A firm that works with English-speaking foreign nationals and investors in Colombia, like Stanford Baker & Associates, can help you read the changes against your own circumstances and stay ahead of the legislative calendar.

This article is for general information only and is not legal or tax advice. The proposals described here can change and need approval from the Colombian Congress before they take effect.

BUSINESS

Best SEO Agency Toronto: What Businesses Should Expect From Modern SEO

Published

21 hours ago

September 21, 2026

Max

Search optimization has changed significantly over time. Modern SEO is no longer limited to keywords and links. It now involves technical performance, user experience, content quality, local relevance, and meaningful data analysis.

Businesses evaluating the best SEO agency Toronto approach should look for a strategy that treats search visibility as part of the broader customer experience. Sustainable results come from building a website that is useful, accessible, and relevant.

Technical SEO Should Come First

Search engines must be able to access important pages.

Technical reviews can uncover indexing problems, slow loading, broken links, and architecture issues.

Solve Foundational Problems

The best SEO agency Toronto strategy should address technical barriers before investing heavily in additional content.

A technically weak website can prevent valuable pages from reaching their potential.

Search Intent Should Guide Content

Keywords reveal what people are looking for.

However, understanding intent is essential.

Users may be researching, comparing, or ready to take action.

Create Purpose-Built Pages

Informational searches may need educational content.

Commercial queries may be better served by detailed service pages.

The best SEO agency Toronto approach should avoid forcing unrelated intentions into the same page.

User Experience Influences Results

Search traffic is only useful if visitors can navigate the website.

Pages should load quickly and present information clearly.

Mobile usability is especially important.

Keep Layouts Simple

Overly complicated designs can distract users.

Readable text, clear headings, and intuitive menus make websites easier to use.

SEO and usability should support one another.

Strengthen Local Search Visibility

Toronto businesses should provide accurate geographic information.

Service areas, contact details, and local context can help establish relevance.

A maintained local business profile can further support location-based searches.

Avoid Local Keyword Stuffing

Geographic keywords should appear naturally.

The best SEO agency Toronto strategy focuses on usefulness, not repetition.

Local content should answer real customer needs.

Build Topical Depth

Search visibility can improve when a website demonstrates comprehensive subject coverage.

Supporting articles can explore related questions and connect back to core pages.

Use Internal Linking

Internal links help users explore connected information.

They also help search engines understand topic relationships.

A structured content network can strengthen overall website clarity.

Measure Business-Relevant Performance

Keyword rankings alone do not define success.

The best SEO agency Toronto approach should also examine organic traffic, engagement, conversions, and landing-page behaviour.

Analyze Trends Over Time

SEO performance fluctuates.

Longer-term patterns provide more useful insights than daily changes.

Businesses should evaluate whether search visibility is contributing to meaningful outcomes.

Keep Optimizing

SEO requires ongoing attention.

Content ages, customer needs change, and competitors improve their websites.

Regular updates help maintain performance.

Conclusion

The best SEO agency Toronto strategy should combine technical strength, search-intent research, useful content, local relevance, strong user experience, and meaningful measurement. Modern SEO is most effective when every improvement supports both search engines and human visitors. Businesses that focus on sustainable quality rather than temporary tactics can build more dependable organic visibility. Continuous refinement then helps the strategy adapt as search behaviour, technology, and customer expectations continue to evolve.

BUSINESS

Should Your Small Business Bring Payroll In-House? The Software Case

Published

6 days ago

September 16, 2026

Max

Still paying an outside firm to run your payroll every month?

Many small business owners give payroll to someone else and forget about it. It feels secure. The problem with that “secure” decision is that it often leads to:

Monthly fees that keep going up
Slow fixes when something goes wrong

Here’s the thing

Small business payroll software has evolved over the years. In-house payroll can be quicker, less expensive and easier than many owners realize.

You don’t need a payroll department. You need the right tool.

Exploring the true case for insourcing payroll – and how to know when your company is ready.

Time to dig in!

Here’s What’s Inside:

Why So Many Owners Still Outsource Payroll
The Hidden Cost Of Handing Payroll Off
What Small Business Payroll Software Actually Does
4x Signs You’re Ready To Make The Switch

Why So Many Owners Still Outsource Payroll

Payroll scares people. And it’s easy to see why.

Late notices, penalties and angry employees are just some of the results you can get from one incorrect dialing. That’s why most owners take the safe route and have someone else handle it.

The data supports this. The National Small Business Association reports that 34% use an external firm to handle their payroll. Just 21% utilize payroll software that they manage themselves.

But here’s what most owners don’t realise…

Top rated small business payroll software does the heavy lifting for you. It calculates federal,state and local taxes, prints checks and prepares your quarterly tax forms. That’s why more owners are choosing to order 1099-etc software and handle payroll themselves. Quality payroll software for small businesses gives you control of every paycheck, tax form and filing deadline once again.

No middleman. No waiting.

The Hidden Cost Of Handing Payroll Off

Outsourcing looks cheap on paper. Then the extras show up.

Many payroll companies have a minimum fee plus a per-employee fee. Want to hire two more employees? You pay more. Need to run an additional check for a holiday bonus? You pay extra for that too.

And that’s not the only cost…

You Still Own The Risk

This is the part nobody tells you.

Just because your firm handles your payroll, doesn’t mean the IRS cares. You are ultimately liable for your payroll taxes. If they miss a deposit or filing deadline, you get the bill.

Penalties also aren’t chump change. The IRS actually imposed $84.1 billion in civil penalties during FY 2024, and employment taxes account for a large portion.

Scary, right?

The best part is that with software you can see every number before it’s sent out. There are no guessing games. No support ticket to find out what happened.

You Still Spend The Time

Offshoring does not completely relieve you of payroll responsibilities. You’ll still need to submit hours, approve each run and answer questions from your provider.

Did you know that 50% of small businesses spend over 3 hours per month managing payroll taxes. Hours you could be spending expanding your business.

What Small Business Payroll Software Actually Does

Payroll software is like a calculator, check printer and tax guru combined.

How it works: Enter your employees one time. Each pay period, enter hours or salary amounts and press run. The software does all of the calculations for you.

A solid small business payroll software package should:

Automatically calculate taxes: federal, state and local withholding using updated tax tables.
Pay your people your way: print paper checks or send direct deposit.
Handle quarterly forms: prepare and e-file forms like the 941 and 940.
Take care of year-end: produce W-2s for employees and 1099s for contractors.

Pretty simple, right?

Lots of programs allow you to import spreadsheets or accounting programs like QuickBooks. So you don’t have to retype everything when making the switch.

Live Payroll Vs After-The-Fact Payroll

There are two ways to use payroll software…

Live payroll means running payroll and paying employees directly from within the software each pay period. This is most common with small businesses.

After-the-fact payroll means entering payroll information after paychecks have been distributed. This method is helpful when keeping track of taxes and completing forms. Use after-the-fact payroll if you, as an accountant or owner, write checks manually.

Ideally, your software will do both. Then it can evolve with you as your business needs change.

4x Signs You’re Ready To Make The Switch.

You don’t need to bring payroll in-house tomorrow. Unless… Well, then you should take a closer look.

1. Your Payroll Bill Keeps Growing

Each employee you bring on board increases your monthly cost. When you’re adding people, per employee fees can compound quickly.

With in-house software, adding a new employee doesn’t have to mean a bigger bill.

2. You Already Do Most Of The Work

Don’t lie… Do you already track hours, scrutinize every payroll check, and correct errors on your own?

Then you’re doing the hard part already. Software just cuts out the middleman.

3. You Want More Control

When you have an in-house payroll, you control the timing of the paycheck distribution. You could cut a bonus check Friday afternoon without waiting for anyone else.

That kind of freedom is gold for a small team.

4. You Pay Contractors Too

Many small businesses hire a combination of W-2 employees and 1099 contractors. That results in additional forms to process at year-end.

Good payroll software keeps track of W-2s and 1099s in one place. When January comes, you can easily print or e-file your W-2s and 1099s with just a few clicks.

Tip: When moving payroll in-house, choose a fresh start date. The beginning of a quarter works well since it leaves your quarterly tax forms clean.

The Bottom Line

Passing payroll off made sense when payroll was difficult. Now small business payroll software has made it easy.

Bringing payroll in-house can save you:

Money — no more per-employee fees that climb every time you hire.
Time — fewer back-and-forth emails with a provider who doesn’t know your business.
Stress — you see every number before a single paycheck goes out.

To quickly recap:

Look at what you pay your provider each year
Check how much payroll work you already do yourself
Pick software that handles taxes, checks and year-end forms
Choose a clean switch date
Run payroll with full control

Payroll shouldn’t be intimidating. The right small business payroll software makes it just another box to check on your to-do list. One that you control from beginning to end.

BUSINESS

Smart Moves for Small Business Owners During an Office Relocation

Published

2 weeks ago

September 11, 2026

Max

Is your business about to pack up and move to a new office?

Moving offices is easily one of the largest ventures you will ever embark on as a small business owner. If done correctly, an office relocation can result in:

Lower monthly costs
A better space for your team

Here’s the problem:

Many owners approach it like a weekend job. Leave it till the last minute, pack in a hurry and pay to move things you don’t need

A messy move costs you time, money and customers.

This guide will walk you through the smartest steps to take when renting a storage unit, such as choosing the smallest (and least expensive) unit for your overflow.

Ready? Here’s how to do it…

Your moving day roadmap:

Why Small Businesses Are Moving
Cut The Clutter First
Plan Your Move Before You Pack A Box
Keep Your Business Running
Tell Google (And Everyone Else) You’ve Moved

Why Small Businesses Are Moving

Did you know there are more than 36.2 million small businesses in the US, and many of them are reimagining where (and how) they work.

Office space just got more expensive again. Average asking rents for US office space rose to $37.58 per square foot during the 2nd quarter of 2026. That’s the highest rent growth in six years.

And as you know…

More square feet = More money out of your pocket.

Which is why many owners are downsizing to smaller offices. Why waste money on unused space?

Cut The Clutter First

Here’s something most owners miss…

You aren’t required to move everything. Moving more costs more.

Sort everything in your office into 3x piles:

Keep: Items your team uses every week, like laptops, desks and printers.
Store: Items you infrequently access but cannot discard such as outdated tax files, seasonal inventory and extra chairs.
Sell or donate: Anything that is broken, outdated or just taking up room.

Choose The Cheapest Storage Unit Size

The “store” pile is where many owners blow their money. Renting a giant unit “just in case” and paying to store air.

Think about it:

The most economical storage unit size is typically a 5×5, about the size of a walk-in closet. Measure your pile of stored goods, then See Storage Options Near You and choose a small 5×5 unit near your new office. You’ll have room for file boxes, a filing cabinet, extra monitors and that trade show banner. For many small offices, that will be all the space you need for overflow.

Now contrast that with storing those same boxes in your office. At average rents, 25 square feet of office space will set you back almost $940 per year.

Pretty cool, right?

Advantage: You can pick up old files or additional inventory within minutes at your new office with the storage facility nearby.

Plan Your Move Before You Pack A Box

Every smooth office move has one thing in common:

A plan that started early.

Set A Realistic Timeline

For a small office, begin planning at least 3 months in advance of move day. If you have over 20 employees, allow yourself closer to 6 months.

Here’s what to tackle first:

Read your current lease to check notice periods and exit fees
Get at least 3x quotes from commercial movers
Pick a moving date that won’t clash with your busy season
Book internet and phone setup at the new office

The final option is important to note. Internet installations can take several weeks. Reserve your service the day you sign your new lease.

Build A Moving Budget

The moving truck fee is only one portion of the bill. Little costs are what surprise most owners.

Watch out for:

A security deposit on the new lease
A month or two of paying rent on both offices
New furniture that actually fits the new space
Updated signs, business cards and printed materials

Always get quotes in writing so you don’t get any surprises on moving day. Add about 10% on top for anything else that crops up. You’ll be glad you did.

Keep Your Business Running

Your customers don’t care that you’re moving.

Customers still want orders shipped. Emails answered and calls answered. Zero down time is the objective.

Back Up Everything

Before unplugging your first computer, upload all of your files to the cloud. Hardware breaks. Boxes get lost. Backups ensure none of that matters.

Snap pictures of your cables and devices plugged in. Helps when you need to plug everything back into its correct place.

Pick The Right Moving Day

Friday afternoon seems to be the ideal time for most small businesses. Pack Friday, move during the weekend and open your doors Monday morning.

And the best part? Your customers will barely notice you were gone.

Tip: Talk to the building manager at both offices. Many buildings require you to reserve the lift and loading bay in advance.

Give Everyone A Job

Don’t do everything yourself. Have everyone pack up their own desk and label boxes with their name and new room location. Choose one person to be your “move captain” and delegate the final decisions to them for moving day.

Win-win, right? The work gets shared and nothing gets lost.

Tell Google (And Everyone Else) You’ve Moved

This is the step that almost everyone forgets…

People searching for your business on Google could end up showing up at your old address if you don’t update it. Not only is this bad for business, it can hurt your local SEO.

As soon as you’ve moved, update your address on:

Your Google Business Profile
Your website footer and contact page
Online directories like Yelp and Bing Places
Invoices, email signatures and social media profiles

Tip: Ensure your business name, address and phone number are identical everywhere. Google loves businesses with consistent information, which can help you maintain your local rankings.

After that, send a short email to your customers and suppliers. Let them know your new address. It’s always good to say hi and remind them you’re there.

Also arrange for mail forwarding. It will intercept letters, cheques and parcels that continue to arrive at the old office during the first few months.