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Opening a company in Colombia is simple. You just have to follow the steps mentioned below and you will have everything almost ready to have your new company!
Having defined the corporate purpose to which the company will be dedicated, the capital, the partners or shareholders, as well as the applicable corporate model and its name, the procedures are done in front of the official entities, always taking into account an order so that the process flows in due form, the order of preparation to open a company in Colombia would be:
Steps to open a company or company in Colombia
1. Define the company name and verify that it is available.
The name of the company name must be consulted in the commercial register to avoid inconsistencies at the time of registration with the corresponding Chamber of Commerce.
2. Company charter.
The corresponding document must be prepared according to the type of company to be established.
3. Designation of a Legal Representative
Must be a Colombian natural person or a foreigner with the right to live and work in Colombia. It is important to bear in mind that this position has multiple responsibilities and powers to commit the company authorized by the Head Office.
4. Commercial registration procedures.
They are carried out before the local Chambers of Commerce depending on the location of the Company to be established, before this entity depending on the nature of the operations that the Company will carry out and the Commercial Registry is processed.
5. Registration with the DIAN tax authority.
Companies in Colombia, as well as citizens, have a unique identification number (ID or Tax ID) which is requested directly from the Directorate of National Taxes and Customs (DIAN). For registration, the corporate purpose must be clear to assign the corresponding ISIC code and the type of operations it will carry out to define the corresponding fiscal responsibilities.
6. Registration in the municipal tax offices.
in the same way that the registration is made with the DIAN, the Company must be registered in the municipal tax office of the city where it has its fiscal domicile and in the municipalities where it provides services or sells goods. if apply.
7. Other records in accordance with the economic activity of the new company.
records with the fire departments or other entities that require it in accordance with the Company’s social activity.
8. Registration of employees in the Social Security System.
These procedures require a series of documents, duly fill out the forms that are generated at each step, settlement and payment of procedures and last but not least validate that in the end the constitution of the new company is in accordance with what is required.
The recommendation is to have a consultancy to be able to make a choice that adjusts to the requirements of the companies.
Jaime Sáenz
JS O&A
jsaenz@jsoadvisors.com
+57 300 814 1986
