Colombia's National Directorate of Taxes and Customs, known as the DIAN, is preparing for the 2026 income tax filing season starting Aug. 12 [2].

The initiative aims to reduce taxpayer confusion and avoid penalties by debunking common myths regarding tax obligations. This effort is critical for millions of natural persons who are required to file returns annually [4].

The DIAN has set a goal for seven million taxpayers to submit their declarations in 2026 [1]. To facilitate this process, the agency has introduced a tool that allows citizens to confirm whether they are legally required to fulfill the filing obligation or not [2].

Deadlines for these filings are scheduled throughout September [1]. The specific expiration dates for each taxpayer are determined by the last digits of their national identification card, known as the cédula [2, 3].

Lizeth Meza, the business director of Tributi, said she has worked to explain the requirements and available tools to help taxpayers navigate the process. The push for clarity is intended to reduce the time spent on procedures and alleviate the fear associated with tax compliance [1, 2].

Taxpayers are encouraged to use the official DIAN tools to verify their status before the August start date. By clarifying the criteria for who must file, the authority hopes to streamline the collection process, and minimize errors in the millions of filings expected this year [4].

“The DIAN has set a goal for 7 million taxpayers to submit their declarations in 2026.”

The Colombian government is shifting toward a more digital and transparent approach to tax collection. By targeting a specific number of taxpayers and providing self-verification tools, the DIAN is attempting to lower the barrier to compliance and reduce the administrative burden on both the state and the citizen.