Summary of "‘Ayuda Renta’, la herramienta para presentar su declaración 2024"

Summary of ‘Ayuda Renta’, la herramienta para presentar su declaración 2024

This video presents a comprehensive guide to the Income Tax Assistance program (Programa de Ayuda Renta) offered by DIAN (Colombia’s tax authority) to help taxpayers prepare and file their 2024 income tax returns efficiently and accurately.

Main Financial Strategies, Market Analyses, and Business Trends:

Electronic Invoicing Benefit: Taxpayers can deduct 1% of their purchases from their income tax by requesting electronic invoices and paying via electronic means (debit/credit card or bank transfer). This benefit requires correct documentation and calculation; it is not automatic.
Use of Digital Tools for Tax Filing: The Income Tax Assistance program is a free, digital Excel-based tool designed to help individuals (salaried employees, independent professionals, pensioners, capital owners, etc.) prepare their tax returns with accuracy and ease, reducing human error and automating calculations.
Tax Compliance Encouragement: Emphasis on early filing to avoid penalties and interest, and to allow time for potential audits and corrections without penalties.
Asset Declaration Adjustments: The tool incorporates recent legal adjustments for asset valuation, including real estate and investments, based on Article 70 and Article 73 of the Tax Code, reflecting updated purchase values and appraisal adjustments.
Occasional Gains and Tax Exemptions: Guidance on declaring occasional gains from real estate sales, including benefits if proceeds are deposited in AFC accounts, which can exempt some gains from taxation.
Dependents and Deductions: Explanation of who qualifies as dependents under the law and how this affects deductions (10% deduction and 72 VTs rate), with prorated calculations if dependents are present for less than a full year.
Draft vs. Official Filing: The program generates a draft return that must be reviewed and submitted through DIAN’s official platform; it is not a filing tool itself.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Income Tax Assistance program:

System Requirements:
- Windows 10 or higher (not compatible with Mac, Linux, or mobile OS).
- Microsoft Excel 2016 or higher (Excel 365 preferred).
- Macros and ActiveX controls must be enabled in Excel.
- Regional settings on the computer should be set to Spanish (Colombia) to avoid formatting errors.
Download and Setup:
- Download the program from DIAN’s official website under “Citizen Services.”
- Transfer the downloaded Excel file to the desktop.
- Unlock the file via file properties (uncheck “blocked” security setting).
- Enable macros and adjust Excel Trust Center settings as per provided instructions.
Handling Common Errors:
- Close all other Excel files before opening the program to avoid circular reference errors.
- Enable iterative calculations in Excel to fix circular reference warnings.
- Do not try to enter data directly into locked form fields; use the navigation buttons provided in the tool.
Filling Out the Form:
- Enter taxpayer identification data, ensuring NIT matches the ID document.
- Input information about dependents, prorated for months of dependency.
- Provide income details, distinguishing between salaries, fees, and special cases (e.g., military exemptions).
- Declare assets properly, specifying urban or rural real estate, acquisition year, purchase value, appraisal value, and any improvements.
- Report occasional gains from asset sales, applying exemptions if proceeds are deposited in AFC accounts.
- Review advance payment calculations based on previous years’ net income tax.
Review and Generate Draft:
- The program automates calculations and generates a draft return.
- Review the draft carefully; the tool does not verify data completeness or accuracy.
- Use the draft to manually input data into DIAN’s official tax filing platform.
Filing Recommendations:
- File early to avoid penalties and allow time for corrections.
- Check due dates based on the last digits of your NIT.
- Filing does not necessarily mean payment; review income and deductions carefully.

Additional Notes:

The tool has been updated for the 2024 tax year to include legal changes and improve asset declaration accuracy.
The program does not include an option to clear the form; users should save the original file or re-download it if they want to start over.
Suggestions from users, such as including asset comparisons, are considered for future versions.
The program is reliable for draft generation but depends on accurate user input.

Presenters and Sources:

Jairo Pineda Bolívar – Official from DIAN’s Collection Sub-directorate, main presenter explaining the tool and tax return process.
Ariel – Host/moderator facilitating the session and interacting with Jairo.
Comments and questions from viewers such as Alejandra Silva, Luz Amparo Arango, Cleo Castell