Five keys to making a secure and efficient digital tax payment

In an environment of rapidly advancing digitalization, electronic tax payments have become a fundamental tool for improving the taxpayer experience and streamlining government processes, and Colombia is no exception to this transformation, which is attracting increasing attention from experts.

And it's no wonder, as according to recent figures, the use of online payments has grown by 70% in the country, and revenue collection has increased by 20%. This marks a trend that demonstrates a sustained transition to digital, rather than a temporary response, and one that requires both users and businesses to be prepared.

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Juliana Grajales, director of Evertec Placetopay, one of the leading platforms for digital payment solutions, explained that of every ten taxpayers who used this channel for the first time, seven continued to do so, and that this loyalty demonstrates that, beyond a fad, the digital channel responds to a structural need for efficiency, transparency, and convenience.

That said, he explained that the sustained growth of electronic payments also reflects an evolution in the efficiency of the tax system, as digital tools significantly reduce the time associated with in-person procedures, eliminating lines, travel, and typing errors.

For Grajales, this simplification not only improves the taxpayer experience but also allows public administrations to redirect resources toward more strategic activities that help stimulate the economy. However, he offered five recommendations to ensure this process is carried out correctly and does not cause unnecessary trauma or stress.

“One of the first aspects to consider is the speed offered by digital platforms. Making payments for taxes such as property, vehicle, passport, or consumption can take just a few seconds. This immediacy allows access to prompt payment benefits, often offered by tax collection agencies, which prove to be a key incentive for tax compliance,” he said.

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Adding to this efficiency is traceability, allowing taxpayers to see the real-time status of each transaction, verify whether it was approved, and receive immediate proof of receipt. This provides peace of mind to users and facilitates reconciliation processes for state entities. Transparency thus becomes an additional guarantee of the digital process.

“Third is security, which is another fundamental component in a context where cyberthreats are increasingly sophisticated and specialized platforms have implemented robust protection mechanisms. Authentication protocols such as EMV 3D Secure are used to validate the user's identity, and data tokenization is used to ensure the confidentiality of financial information,” he stated.

In this regard, the Evertec Placetopay spokesperson stated that "additionally, the systems have real-time monitoring to detect any fraud attempts, which reinforces confidence in the payment channel."

To ensure a secure experience, it's also important to adopt good practices during the checkout process, starting with ensuring the chosen platform is trustworthy. This can be verified by confirming that the web address begins with "https" and that there is a padlock in the navigation bar.

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“Likewise, it is recommended not to click on links received via suspicious emails or messages. If this is your first time making a digital payment, having the support of an experienced person can be helpful in avoiding errors,” they indicated. From the State's perspective, the adoption of digital payments not only represents an improvement in collections but also a significant reduction in administrative costs, as automation reduces dependence on manual processes, improves accounting accuracy, and frees up resources that can be allocated to other key areas of public administration.

Finally, they noted that the implementation of these recommendations not only strengthens the security and efficiency of the tax system, but also consolidates Colombia as a regional leader in the digital transformation of the public sector. As more citizens adopt these channels, the culture of compliance is strengthened and a closer, more trustworthy, and modern relationship is created between the State and its taxpayers.