Taxes in Colombia: What is the UGPP

The Unidad de Gestión Pensional y Parafiscales (UGPP) is the Colombian government agency that ensures everyone makes the right contributions to the social security system and parafiscales.

If you’re a company, an independent worker, or a foreigner with income in the country, you need to understand what the UGPP regulates, who it monitors, and the sanctions it applies—so you can avoid legal or financial problems related to taxes in Colombia.

What Does the UGPP Regulate?

The UGPP oversees contributions to the Integral Social Security System and parafiscal funds. Each has clear rules and amounts:

• Healthcare: 12.5% of your income base.
  
  
• Pension: 16% (shared between employer and employee; independents pay 100%).
  
  
• Occupational Risk Insurance (ARL): mandatory for employees; optional for independents depending on their risk level.
  
  
• Parafiscales: ~9% of payroll (SENA 2%, ICBF 3%, Family Compensation Funds 4%).
  
  

Who Does the UGPP Monitor?

Whether you’re a large company, freelancer, or foreign worker, the UGPP can audit you.

Its goal is to ensure no one is left out of the system and that all contributions and taxes in Colombia are paid correctly.

• Companies: must register workers from day one, pay contributions on real salaries, and not disguise employees as “contractors.”
  
  
• Independents: must contribute based on at least 40% of their real monthly income.
  
  
• Foreigners: with a work or residence visa must contribute just like Colombians.
  
  
• EPS, pension funds, ARLs: also face sanctions if they fail to comply.
  
  

Common Mistakes

Many contributors fall into repeated mistakes that the UGPP easily detects. Avoid them to keep from doubling your debt.

• Not paying or paying late.
  
  
• Declaring income lower than the real amount.
  
  
• Skipping parafiscal contributions.
  
  
• Ignoring official UGPP requests.
  
  

Penalties in 2025

UGPP sanctions are not symbolic—they can add millions of pesos to your debt. For 2025, they are:

• Omission or late payment: 5% per month of the unpaid amount (up to 200%), plus interest.
  
  
• Underreporting (inaccuracy): 35% if you correct voluntarily; 60% if UGPP detects it.
  
  
• Failure to provide information: fines from 30 UVT (~COP 1.5M) up to 15,000 UVT (~COP 747M).
  
  
• Interest on arrears: calculated daily until payment is made.
  
  

👉 Even a small error can snowball into a million-peso problem.

How to Avoid Sanctions

Prevention is far cheaper than correction. Staying compliant requires discipline, but it’s manageable if you follow these steps:

• Pay your PILA on time.
  
  
• Always report your real income.
  
  
• Budget for parafiscales each month.
  
  
• Keep receipts and records organized.
  
  
• Answer UGPP requests immediately.
  
  
• Seek professional accounting or legal advice if in doubt.
  
  

Note for Foreigners

If you work or generate income in Colombia, the UGPP monitors you too. Being a foreigner doesn’t exempt you from contributing or from paying the proper taxes in Colombia.

• With a work or residence visa, you must register and contribute from day one.
  
  
• Healthcare is always mandatory in Colombia.
  
  
• UGPP sanctions or arrears can complicate visa renewals or residency applications.
  
  

Conclusion: The UGPP cross-checks data with the DIAN (tax authority) and Migración Colombia. Penalties in 2025 are steep and add up quickly with interest.

Staying compliant on time is the only way to avoid huge costs and guarantee your healthcare, pension, and legal stability in Colombia.

📩 Do you have doubts or did you receive a UGPP notice?

At Nexo Legal, we can help you review your case, align your contributions with the law, and stay on top of your taxes in Colombia.