'We urgently request its repeal': health sector on withholding tax decree

After the government, headed by the Ministry of Finance, issued Decree 552, which brings forward the collection of corporate income tax withholding from 2026 to this year, the response from various sectors has been swift.

The Everyone for Health movement warns that this measure threatens the sustainability of the system.

"Despite the numerous comments submitted on the draft decree and the public warnings issued by unions, organizations, members of the Todos por la Salud movement, and industry experts, the National Government issued Decree 572 of 2025," the movement said in a statement.

He adds: "This regulation introduces tax changes that directly affect several economic sectors in the country, including the healthcare system , by modifying two key items: withholding taxes and self-withholding taxes, the latter applicable to large taxpayers."

This new tax scheme, the movement points out, represents an additional burden "that companies had not expected."

"The obligation to advance greater resources to the State through withholdings and self-withholdings further reduces available cash flow, already affected by the UPC's inadequacy for daily operations, investment in equipment and technology, payments to suppliers, and the timely payment of salaries to healthcare personnel. We reiterate that the most affected will be patients and users of the healthcare system, and the entire Colombian population in general, whose fundamental right to health will be compromised," the statement continues.

Taking these considerations into account, Todo por Salud requested that the decree be repealed. " It is nothing more than a new requirement for the health sector , which is going through agonizing times, generating a humanitarian crisis that affects the lives of patients, users, and all citizens. This is not merely an accounting or tax discussion: the fundamental right to health is at stake, and ultimately, the lives of millions of Colombians," the statement said.

This week, hospitals also issued an alert regarding the decree. The Colombian Association of Hospitals and Clinics stated that these entities are unable to comply with this advance payment of the straight-line tax.

"Recently issued Decree 572 of 2025, aside from the intended collections, must take into account that the IPSs do not have sufficient cash flow or liquidity to allow them to comply with the advance payment of withholdings and income tax, nor with any rate increases," the communication reads.

And he adds: "We believe, Mr. Minister, that in times of economic hardship, a sector like the health sector, with service providers struggling to maintain their operations , is, to say the least, inappropriate and inequitable to be equated with other productive sectors or companies in the country."

Thus, the country's clinics and hospitals requested that Jaramillo intervene with the Treasury Department to "correct this measure by excluding service providers from these advance tax collections and rate adjustments, allowing them to continue under current conditions. We also urge that liquidity issues be addressed comprehensively and that relief be provided to the healthcare sector, which is ultimately the one that keeps the doors open to users."