Dude! Taxes are what I and other aspiring expats need to know about! Not IRS but COLOMBIAN! As you may know, once 180 in the country, you become a resident and obligated to file in Colombia. Given that Colombia also has a worldwide tax obligation, expats need help assessing their exposure before making the move. If you talk to two Colombian accountants, you'll get two different answers. Frustrating!
I have read there is no tax treaty with Colombia and US/Canada. I don't think anyone would want to pay taxes in two countries.Would be nice to know how that works.
@davidbaynes7650 You heard correct! However, Colombia allows deductions/credit of your U.S. taxes. I also heard that there have been recent changes in Colombia's tax code that benefits retirees.
I was in Bogota.. I was impressed by the amount of bicycles.. & how they embrace using them... dedicated lanes for them... & also.. they close whole roads on Sundays to get people out on them
The one thing I love about Colombia is exactly what you mentioned, closing the roads on Sunday or holidays for everyone to exercise or enjoy a walk with their family in the streets. This is something many other countries should take note of. -Dylan
Good video. Been living in Colombia (mostly Medellin) for 5 years. One more thing to add to your bureaucracy point: Don't make plans to get anything done on most Mondays. In Colombia, if it's a Monday chances are it's a holiday.
Hello Dylan- I moved to Colombia as a retired Texan- bc i knew that SS income was not going to work in the USA- I worked 44 years-went bankruptcy in 2013 - retired in 2020 the I spent covid in Panama the moved to Colombia-so I looked for Shelter.Food, health insurance - and you can have that, but I'm alone and only have to care for myself so far at 70 yrs old - I don't need a wife or a steady girfriend-but I'm not aggresive either, yes the women are beautiful, but the human condition is the same the modern world over- here in Colombia they are on the cell phones all the time too.
Not all expatriates are immigrants; some are residents, not citizens. They may be in the country on a temporary basis, like working for a foreign company, for a fixed term of several years.
I live in Cali , Colombia for about 6 months out of the year …. and live on a retirement salary …. With my wife , who is also retired …. Definitely cheaper …. and live very comfortably …. The other half is in the Pennsylvania and have a camper that we do traveling with … at campgrounds …. Definitely love my life the way it is now .
Thank you for the comment James. I have only passed through Cali on my way to Popayan. In my short time in the city, it seemed just as culturally diverse as Medellin and Bogota. One thing everyone is suggesting is exploring the cost of living/lifestyles between the major cities in Colombia. There is a lot of content already on this topic and I would like to cover this with my personal experiences while living in country. Again, thank you for the comment. -Dylan
James Kramer, I would love to get to the point that I could retire and spend part of the year in the Nevada / Utah area and spent half the year in South America (especially Colombia 🇨🇴)
My Son and Grandchildren live here in Cali …. It is exhilarating and exhausting …. But wouldn’t trade this life for anything …. For that we go back to PA for rest at different campsites …. You’ll get there my friend ….. Time will fly by before you know it . I waited 20 years for this ….. and still wonder where all the time went .
Hi Dylan. Would it be possible to do an indepth interview about all the taxes affecting life and expats? Like import taxes, VAT, income taxes, tax exemptions, especially in comparison to other countries....
Thank you very much for content recommendations. This helps me pick a direction for the content. Absolutely, we are making more financial geared content for US expats. I am a little bit busy at the moment. I manage quite a few client investment portfolios actively trading/investing, as well as tax filing season is crushing me (licensed investment advisor/enrolled agent). Just the other day, I made some content about the Colombian Peso, explaining the different notes and usability depending on the denomination. That will more than likely be the next video released, hopefully in the next day or two (schedule depending). I can talk about the taxes affecting expats, but keep in mind, I am licensed by the IRS and when I speak about foreign taxes, there are things I can and can not say due to not having licenses in the specific countries/jurisdictions. I will do my best to explain these topics and approach them from an educational stand point. I look forward to publishing this content! -Dylan
@@quintilonetax It is important to let Americans know their taxes on their 401k's and IRA's are going up in 2025. Is there anything to do that can help them lower their taxes? I am a widow since Jan. 2024. I need help. Could converting an IRA into a Roth help me? I am already required to take distributions for the last 6 years.
The dollar has been very strong throughout 2022. It has caused a significant exchange rate movement in non major currency pairs such as the Colombian Peso. The Colombian Peso traded around $1 dollar to 2,500 COP when I first went to Colombia. Now the peso is fluctuating near $1 dollar to 5,000 COP. Just crazy the movements in these exchange rates. -Dylan
Thank you for your comment. I’ve met many people from many different socioeconomic backgrounds in Colombia. The most fluent English speakers I have encountered in Colombia tend to come from higher education or Colombians that have lived in the USA or other English speaking countries. That’s not to say people without education can’t speak English, I’m just sharing my experience about who I have encountered with the highest levels of English. -Dylan
One thing worth noting is that the bureaucratic challenges and other challenges present obstacles in the interest in living permanently in foreign countries, as opposed to merely spending several months in the winter....
Great video and info, I also come from Orlando and I live in a small town 2 states up northeast of Antioquia, please make yourself more visible on the facebook expat groups....
Thank you! I’ll try my best with getting back on Facebook. I’ve been off Facebook for a few years and the Medellin and Colombia expat groups were very valuable to learn more about the visa processes and finding apartments. I’ll create an account shortly and get back in some of those communities. Thank you- Dylan
I think in all of the major cities there are "gringo" neighborhoods that seem higher cost of living and more upscale in nature. In Medellin the neighborhoods are Poblado, Laureles (near nutribara) Sabaneta, areas of Envigado. Up the mountain is Las Palmas and Llano Grande. In Bogota, we lived near Usaquen in the north. Parque 93 and Zona Rosa were very upscale as well. Bogota is so big and diverse, you could spend years exploring that city and never see everything. Truly a mega city. -Dylan
I haven’t visited many places yet beyond 3 hour drives of Cali …. But am sure that there are a lot of American communities …. I know a lot of Americans that have businesses in Colombia 🇨🇴 and live near their businesses . Many probably kin American Communities .
Yes, that is cheaper than Colombia. But one thing to factor is the close flights to the USA. You are only 3 or so hours away from the Southern USA. Thailand is a day travel from the US. Being able to fly back to the US at a moments notice is a big benefit to living abroad in a country such as Colombia. Thank you for the comment. -Dylan
There is a level of danger in every Colombian city. Anyone who disputes it isn't telling the entire truth. When we lived in Bogota Calle 134 near Exito Nuevo Country, I was mugged and had my IPhone stolen. A motorcycle robber saw me pull out my phone at an intersection and grabbed it before I even knew what happened. Looking back at that situation, I should not have had my fancy IPhone out in my hand near a street. I put myself in that situation and I am grateful that no one was hurt. So now I make sure to not show any valuables when out and about. The thing that surprised me the most was when I got a replacement phone and the robber tried impersonating Apple as if they found my phone. They were trying to get me to enter my Icloud pass-code so they could unlock the phone, reset it to sell it. Of course I did not respond to the message, but it is clear there is sophistication to the petty crime in Colombia. Crime can happen in any major city, don't let the fear of crime in Colombia deter you from living your life as you normally do. Take precautions at all times. -Dylan
@@quintilonetax So sorry to hear this. It really makes me afraid to come alone as a woman to Colombia. Such a beautiful country that has so many who are disrespectful and violent.
It’s very simple its not cheap for Colombian earning people its cheap if you bringing US dollars , its as cheap or expensive as you earn us Dolllars and spend in US.
Thank you for the comment. That’s a perfect summation. It is expensive for Colombians, and foreigners benefit from the currency exchange rate. The US dollar has tremendous purchasing power in Colombia. -Dylan
This was a great video, so many things I totally agree with. Im an Australian Expat living in Colombia and I find things like taxes very overwhelming. I know you specialise in tax for Americans, but do you, or do you know of any professionals that do this for other nationalities like Australians?
Hey Dylan. Great video. My family is planning on leaving the USA. Columbia is on the list of potential landing spots. We are planning on traveling there later this year to see what it's like. Any suggestions or input to make it a more impactful research trip would be appreciated.
Medellin is 60 to 85 Fahrenheit all 12 months; modest amount rain is plenty to keep everything green. I like swimming in some of the 10 pools at the Estadio Olympic complex which is a 6 minutes walk from my $12 USD per night Airbnb.
Very very slow this summer getting Cedula. I paid on July 4 for my Cedula, now on September 18 my cedula is not yet available from Bogota. I need the Cedula for international money transfer pick up at Exito supermarket.
Thank you for view of Museo de Cuidad Medellin. Most tourists walk past that Museo not knowing it exists on highest point at the panoramic vista at Púeblito Paisa. The Museo has smaller scale replicas of many excellent art sculptures found throughout the Medellin city region.
Costa Rica is on the radar for many US expats. It's on my list of countries to visit, but those with a Colombian passport (my wife) need a visa to visit. -Dylan
@@quintilonetax Many friends left Costa Rica due to drugs and crime and the greater expensiveness the country has undergone. I also think healthcare is better in Colombia.
Hi Dylan. Thanks for the video. Very good insight on some of the aspects of living in Colombia! I’m coming to Medellín early October to explore the possibility of living there. A couple questions I have are: 1. Would you have any good information on obtaining a residency visa & starting the process before I arrive? 2. You mentioned the Spanish curriculum for your learning…we’re you doing in-person/instructor-led courses? Thanking you in advance for any info you can share! -Ed
Hi Dylan. What's your take in Pereira? It seems it's a good alternative to Cuenca, for us older folks better climate, less air pollution and fires than Medellin, which is noisy and crowded.....and isn't Bogotà just like Medellin? Especially if you want to escape places like NYC, but if you come from a mild Canadian climate (besides the winter)?
Dylan, can you tell us something about retired people in Cartagena, their cost of living, and also about the air pollution problem? Can you compare Cartagena and Medellin?Thanks.
Thank you for the comment. My ties to Colombia are Medellin and Bogota. I have visited Cartagena a few times and I think this could be a good topic to cover comparing costs of living between the cities. A little background about my family and I. My wife is a Paisa. Her family lives in a tiny city in Caldas called Riosucio, which is known for El Carnaval de Riosucio, the "Devil Carnival". I have traveled all over from pueblos in Antioquia, Bogota, Cali, Popayan, Cartagena and the Coffee Triangle. The cost of living between cities and pueblos can vary significantly, so can the quality of life. All very good details to share in future videos. Again, thank you for the feedback and I will do my best to create more content about my time and experiences in Colombia!
@@dovygoodguy1296 Pollution is a problem in the major cities. Particulate matter from cars, motorcycles and old dump trucks fills the air with a haze. When I lived in Medellin, it was such a problem that we needed to mop the floor on a daily basis to remove the soot. I was told by fellow expats that the soot was caused by the lack of refining process in the gasoline and when internal combustion engines burn the fuel, it outputs a dirty soot into the air. The pollution really depends on the city. Medellin is surrounded by mountains and the smog can't easily escape. It acts like a bowl that traps the pollution. Bogota is on a high steppe and the pollution hangs over certain areas of the city more than others. It depends how close you are to the mountains in Bogota for smog problems. In Cartagena, the ocean breeze and tropical downpours tend to wash the smog out of the air. I never noticed smog or air pollution in Cartagena. But keep in mind, this isn't a developed country. There is major pollution problems. The government and citizens are doing everything to change this and a lot of the pollution problems are driven by socioeconomic circumstances. There are more rural areas of the country and outside the cities that have the extremely clean air and environment. Some of the freshest air I have inhaled has been in the mountains of Colombia. -Dylan
@@quintilonetax Wow, but we see that if it's not pollution then it's crime, and what you find in Bogotá or Cartagena. Alas, I guess if I were your age I'd try what you're doing. But at my stage I'm looking for quiet and calm with amenities even away from North America that's going down the drain. But it's hard to find what I'm looking for.
@@dovygoodguy1296 I live a quiet and calm life. My wife and I have 1 daughter and we are expecting a baby boy in the coming months. The calm and quiet lifestyle is definitely possible in Colombia. You would be best suited to living outside of the major cities and exploring places like Santa Marta, Pereira or maybe even pueblos. You need to live in a large enough city or close to one, so you can visit large stores like Exito, Home Center or other big box stores. Have fast and reliable internet. And the ease to travel to an international airport in case you need to return to the United States. Keep in mind, Colombian's like to party late into the night and play loud music into the early morning. So quiet really depends on the city and your neighbors. It isn't like the US where the neighbors shut off their music by 10:00 pm to not disturb the neighbors... -Dylan
Hi there! You seem to explain things good. One question I’ve been having a hard time with is me and my Colombian wife have already been married here in the US but when we go back to Colombia we are trying to figure out if they just recognize our marriage from America or should we just get re married there for purposes of me because I want to gain my Colombian citizenship and if so they seem to want me to prove that I’m not married in order to marry her but we have already been married ..if that makes sense?
I'm wondering how fast is the internet service can one have in Columbia? I have a at-home internet business so I would need a very fast download AND more importantly upload speed. So what can one expect out there?
In Colombia, the major cities have fiber and high speed internet service. It depends on your provider, but the latency is low and speeds are fast. In the pueblos and small towns, the internet service can be hit or miss. Many pueblos have old copper lines and geographical limitations for building out the internet infrastructure. Many of the small towns need line of site and radio towers to relay the signal from larger cities. So there is higher latency and slower speeds in the pueblos. The big cities are comparable to any North American city for the service provided. -Dylan
Hello Dylan, very informative video. Do you pay income tax in Colombia on your Social Security Benefits from USA if you become a tax resident in Colombia. Thank you very much
Hi Dyland, we will like to move to Colombia. My husband needs a Visa I am Colombian. We have filed for visa In Colombia. Not luck. We are back in the States. Will you recomend to go to DC. It was very hard to do it in Colombia. How much do you charge?
Taxes really depend on the type of income and overall financial situation of the taxpayer. Colombia can be neutral tax country for lower and moderate income levels. As you get into higher income and asset levels, taxes can end up being more than the US. Keep in mind, using tax strategies such as the Foreign Tax Credit and Foreign Earned Income Exclusion shifts your worldwide taxation burden and tax residency to Colombia. It’s best to look at the specific tax situation of the individual to make a determination of how much tax they could owe. I would focus on other factors before making a decision to live in Colombia. The culture and people were my motivation to establish residency here, taxes came second or third on my priority list. Thanks for the comment! -Dylan
Taxes are much lower here in Columbia compared to the U.S. Also medical is penny to the dollar compared to the states …. I get as much as my medical and dental work done while my wife and I are here ( 6 months out of the year) Language is definitely going to be your biggest challenge …. Luckily my wife is from Colombia and helps a lot with my language barriers as I improve on my Spanish …. It is highly recommended that you hook up with someone that is from Colombia for a while ….. or you could put yourself in great danger ….. I can’t stress that enough .
Mi esposa, jaja 😅. When I met my wife she only spoke Spanish and I was immersed in the language very quickly. Amazingly, my wife didn’t speak English when I met her, now after 4 years she is perfectly fluent. I would say the easiest way to learn language is by surrounding yourself with only Spanish speakers and picking it up on the go. I took a few courses in college, but learning in Colombia was much quicker. -Dylan
I hear no mentioning of the political situation since the new President: Petro has taken over.....and how the Venezuelans impact on life in Colombia. I do not know when-what-date you created this video.....$$$finances-taxation-health-care-how-difficult is to open a Bank Account....Rent an apartment??????.....the most important issues to some of us... I would have subscribed to your channel had i obtained what i was searching for....Thanks
Great info. Looking to move to Colombia and still work in the US. Is it possible to have a US bank with funds that are accessible in Colombia? Mainly to not have to have a “Colombian” bank account.
Thank you for the comment. Yes, you can use your US bank while residing in Colombia. It’s possible to use any visa or master card debit card at a Colombian ATM and withdraw Colombian pesos. The exchange rate will vary between 3-5% less than the spot rate, but yes it is possible. -Dylan
Thank you for the comment. I met my wife in Medellin. She is a paisa and perfectly fluent in both languages. As someone who was travelled around the world, I have become accustomed to many of the countries having some level of English speaking ability. In Colombia, English levels are extremely low and your daily life requires Spanish speaking ability to survive. -Dylan
Thank you for the comment. Knowing Spanish is a broad statement. With lower levels of English in Colombia, speaking Spanish fluently is critically important. Gringo Spanish, throwing a word or stringing a few together can be considered speaking Spanish as well. Your quality of life in Colombia is extremely dependent on speaking Spanish fluently. When you visit other areas of the world (most of Europe), you can get by with English and stringing a few words in the native language without having a severe decline in quality of life. When I first moved to Colombia I used gringo Spanish and my life was significantly harder. Now I’m close to advanced fluency, it allows me to do many things I was not able to before. With my advanced level of Spanish, I don’t get taken advantage of as much. When a Colombian realizes I speak Spanish and I’m willing to argue with them over fair pricing, they tend to stop their price gouging or scheme. -Dylan
Hi Dylan! I am a Legal Documents Assistant and I am going for my EA , and taking the California Bar Exam in July 2023. How difficult is it to run a virtual tax practice from Medellin, Colombia?
Thank you for all the insight. I live in New Jersey in the U.S. born and raised. My husband is from Itagui he has dual citizenship. We are planning to live 6 months in Medellin and 6 months in the U.S. I will contact you for your services so I can get my Residence Visa in Colombia. In the meantime, I will definitely learn espanol!
Thank you for watching our videos and let me know when you move to Colombia. We can grab a tinto together. We have some new content coming soon from Medellin and Bogota. -Dylan
If you stay in Colombia more than 183 days a year you have to file Colombian income tax on your world wide income. That includes Social Security. Right now it is about anything over 12000 dollars and the rates aren't cheap.
Thank you for the comment. Social Security Income can be taxed in the United States as well... Depending on your other income sources, the amount social security benefits that are taxed is between 0%, 85% or 100%. It is best to seek the guidance of your Colombian tax professional before making blanket statements about how much of your income is taxable and what the effective rate will be. As in the US tax system, Colombia has income tax deductions that can reduce your taxable income. Depending on your income level, Colombia may be tax neutral, or may result in more income taxes paid. If you are looking for a tax haven, Colombia probably is not the country for you. I would suggest Panama or the Cayman Islands. As a legal resident of Colombia, you may have an obligation to file a Colombian income tax return (Declaracion de Renta). -Dylan
Also depends who your accountant is. I'm in Medellin now for a few months and the one common answer I've gotten from folks who live here is "My acct takes care of everything". And they pay no taxes. The acct does his or her magic.
Please be aware that the cost of living in the country is high for locals. The impact of Americans n other expats on housing prices in cities like Medellin is significant , making it difficult for Colombians to afford apartments
Hey Dylan, I have to tell you that this is one the best videos I've ever seen on preparing to move to Colombia. I've been coming to Colombia a long time and information sources like this were scarce at best. I'm going to reach out to you on Whatsapp and hope we meet in Rio Negro or Medellin one day. Hablo espanol tambien, Again Great Job!
As a Colombian who travels there every two years I can testify that it’s very true about legal documents and paperwork. Colombians are very analytical and serious about any legality stuff with everyone not just foreigners. It gets to the point where it feels like a hassle and impossible with the help of a local who can guide you in the process.
I am surprised you guys think Colombia is much cheaper. Colombia is very expensive specially when compared with USA You guys will understand the real value at the time of emergency Wake up guys, don’t be superficial about your surroundings. Try mindfulness and use it to help yourself All the best guys
You can get a nice one-bedroom apartment in a major Colombian city for $500 according to my research. It is easily $1500 for a one bedroom in most US cities and often more expensive. Where in the US is it cheaper? I'll move there instead!
Awesome video and thanks for the pointers. I will be retiring in seven years and my wife and I will reside in Medellin 4 to 6 months out of the year. She is paísa from Itagüí so it should be easy enough. However, the tax reporting is something I will definitely need help with, if you’re still in business. I’ve logged your company name and contact information so be on the lookout in the next few years. God bless.
Thank you for the comment. Based on staying less than 183 days, you may not be a tax resident. There are other qualifying criteria to declare income in Colombia and we are here when you are ready to talk. Yes, we work with expat clients all throughout Colombia. My WhatsApp is +1 407-864-2702. We are in this for the long haul, so when you are ready to talk about taxes between both countries, we will be here. -Dylan
Thank you for the comment. I think it’s tough to live anywhere off of $500 a month. I wouldn’t say it’s impossible because many Colombians survive on less. However, if you are a foreigner, you would not feel comfortable living in the areas of town you would need to in order to survive on such a small amount of money. I think realistically, $2000 dollars a month is the minimum I would recommend making before moving to a country such as Colombia. -Dylan
@@quintilonetax So then I couldn't afford to live in El polado I think it's called. Sorry if I spelt it wrong 🤣 Sucks that I LITERALLY can't even even to live in the cheapest countries because of my disability 😞 ALL I want to do is travel 😫
Stop saying it's cheap. It is not cheap living in Colombia. The cost of living in Colombia has risen due to inflation. You mentioned the exchange rate. Yes, without it, everything is essentially expensive.
Does Colombia still allow 90 day tourists visa to extend for another 90 days or are you forced to do a border jump when your original 90 days is close to expiring.
No, you do not have to leave just file for an extension 30 days before expiration. You can do it online- I hired a visa service for $100 and had it in one week.
"Paisa" is a colloquial term applied to the inhabitants from northwest Colombia. For additional details, check this reference: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paisa_(region)
Absolutely, there is a pollution problem depending on the cities you live in. Many of the major cities in Colombia are surrounded by mountain ranges and the pollution can’t escape the valleys. This combined with motorcycle exhaust, older forms of internal combustion emitting large black plumes of smoke. Pollution can be a problem for sure. At the same time, when you leave the major cities, you have perfectly clean air. -Dylan
@@dovygoodguy1296 I think the best is ahead for Colombia. There is major opportunity for economic development and to clean the environment. I see it when I talk with the younger Colombians. They have pride for their country. They are constantly trying to improve things. -Dylan
"Try it out for a few month's" exactly how long did you stay your 1st time in Colombia ? How many different cities did you explore other than Cartagena ?
I lived in Colombia for close to 2 years. My family and I live between Colombia and Florida right now. I visited Cartagena, Cali, Popayan, Pereira, Caldas, many pueblos in Antioquia, and Medellin. When we lived full time in Colombia, we lived in Laureles in Medellin for a period of time and Usaquen in Bogota. My wife is a Paisa and from Medellin. Thank you for your comment. -Dylan
Hi Dylan, Thanks for video. So I read all the comments/questions on this video and somewhere you mentioned "realistically $2000 a month is minimum I would recommend making before moving to a country such as Colombia". Well, most people who decide to move to so called "cheap" countries are retirees. That $2000 USD amount totally changed my view about Colombia as in Canada to be eligible for full monthly pension ( CPP+OAS) is age 65. All you will receive for retirement is $1800 CAD or $ 1300 USD per month. Therefore, Colombia is out of my list. (btw, I am not gonna live in a village/rural in Colombia just because I can live based on $300 per month as still I wanna enjoy my life after age 65) I guess I should look for way cheaper place on earth to have a decent life based on $1300 USD per month. What do you think as a foreigner who lives in so called "cheap" country plus being an accountant/financial advisor? Thanks for your advice.
Hello, first off, it is my understanding as a Canadian citizen, you can elect to not be a tax resident in Canada if you reside outside the country. In the USA, you are always a tax resident as a citizen or permanent resident. From a tax perspective, this is a positive as a Canadian. It is possible to live in Colombia based on $1,800 CAD per month. It just depends on what your lifestyle is and how you manage your money. Realistically, you could rent a studio or one bedroom apartment for between $1.200.000 to $2.000.000 COP ($300 to $500). Then you would need to make the rest of your budget work towards basic living expenses. It is possible, but will you feel comfortable on a tight budget? The reality of the situation being it is difficult to retire anywhere in the world on $1,800 CAD, but it is possible in Colombia. -Dylan
@@quintilonetax Thank you Dylan, I am not there yet (for retirement) but I started already my homework about the targeting countries such as Colombia and started to learn Spanish as I take the plan seriously. As I said it doesn't matter really where on this planet... It could be some cheap/ok climate places such as Thailand, Vietnam, Cuba or Tajikistan, etc.... somewhere that I can enjoy the last chapter of life with zero worry about money and having a peaceful life.... I have a few Colombian friends here who recommend Santa Marta for ages over 65/ retirees, as much as I enjoy the night life I think Santa Marta will offer that as well.... But I need more infos and of course a trip there before the big move, etc... But definitely I will take advantage of your experience in Colombia specially you married a Colombian wife that offers way better prospects/views over there comparing to newbies who post wrong information on the net. Thanks again.
