Steps to obtain the RUT: practical guide

If you wonder how to create a company in Colombia, among one of the steps you should take is to process the Tax Registry (RUT). This will allow you to identify your business relationships with confidence. Also, remember the RUT is mandatory to file and pay your taxes before the National Tax and Customs Directorate (DIAN).

What is this document?

The Tax Registry is a document that allows the identification of companies and individuals in their fiscal, commercial, or equity relationships. The National Tax and Customs Directorate (DIAN) assigns a Tax Identification Number (NIT) and exercises the administration, control and supervision of your economic activities.

With the development of technology, to run the errand to obtain it is not complicated. You just have to go to the DIAN offices to do this process with your National Identity Document (DNI). An officer of this institution will ask you some questions to identify you. After the system validates your data, your registration will be delivered. In case you want to process it for a company, DIAN will require a certificate of legal existence not older than 30 days.15

What are the steps to process the Single Tax Registry online?

If you have a cell phone with good Internet connection, the process will be much easier for you. Also, remember that it is completely free. You just have to take a photo of both sides of your identity document and follow the following practical steps:

1.- Enter the website of the Directorate of National Taxes and Customs and select the option “Assignment of appointments”.

2.- Request your virtual appointment by choosing the alternative of registration of this document for individuals or companies or if desired, to update the document type.

3.- Once the request has been made, keep in mind the point of contact you select. Preferably, register your personal cell phone and the process number that the page will show you. Once the request has been answered, a message will arrive to your email confirming the appointment.

4.- Then, enter the link that you will find in the email that reads, “Appointment Reminder”. Open the page, you will be able to download Form 001, which is editable.

5.- In this form, copy the email you entered in the contact point you selected. You can find the CIIU on the website of your local Chamber of Commerce.

6.- The next step is to send the completed form and the photocopy of your scanned ID to the email address.

7.- Depending on whether you are a company or an individual and the economic category of your company, you must send the documents requested by the advisor to the assigned email before 9 a.m. or 12 p.m.

8.- Once the information is obtained, the advisor will verify all the information you have provided and will send you the final document for you to print, sign and scan. This will be the original version of your registration.

What happens if you can’t get the document online?

There are few cases that arise because of this. The usual problems could be related to not being able to deliver the documents on time or the information that is given to them is incomplete. If this is your case, come to the offices of the National Tax and Customs Directorate to carry out the procedure again in person.

If you are an entrepreneur and want to create a company, remember that the first thing you must do to set up your business is to obtain the Single Tax Registry. There are several professionals who provide accounting services in Colombia to advise you in this process of tax formalization. For example, you can go to an accountant in Colombia. Of course, make sure that it has two main values: ethics and commitment.