VAT refund: who receives it and how to know if I am a beneficiary

You received a text message saying that your household has money to collect from the VAT refund, And the question remains the same: Is it real or is it a scam? Don't worry. Here's how to find out if your household is receiving this support, how to collect it without paying a penny to anyone, and how to distinguish a legitimate transfer from a scam.

First things first, without beating around the bush: the VAT refund It's a cash transfer the government gives to impoverished households to offset part of the VAT they pay on food, soap, and other everyday items. It's managed by Prosperidad Social (Social Prosperity). You don't need to register. You don't apply at any office. The government selects households by cross-referencing databases, primarily the Sisbén IV (System for Identifying Potential Beneficiaries of Social Programs). If your household is selected, you'll be notified; if not, there's no need to apply.

Last updated: June 2026.

What is VAT compensation or refund and why does it exist?

When you buy something at the store, part of what you pay is VAT. For a low-income household, that tax weighs much more heavily than for a wealthier one, because almost all of their money goes toward basic necessities. VAT refund The program aims to return a portion of that tax to those families in cash. In the second half of 2026, Prosperidad Social reported that more than 774,000 households received the Citizen's Income payment and a VAT refund, representing an investment of 322.013 billion pesos during that period.

Who receives the VAT refund?

It is received by households that the State classifies as most vulnerable according to the Sisbén IV. In practice, this includes two groups: extreme poverty (classifications A01 to A05) and moderate poverty (B01 to B04). Prosperidad Social also prioritizes ethnic households through the indigenous targeting program.

Be careful with this, because this is where most scams slip in: There is no registration. No one can "put" you on the list in exchange for payment. The selection is automatic and comes from the information in your Sisbén survey cross-referenced with official records. If you want to understand how this classification, which determines almost all support programs, works, see our guide on the Sisbén groups for subsidies.

How do I know if my household is a beneficiary?

It's free and accessible from your mobile phone. The official channel is the Prosperidad Social portal. socialprosperity.gov.co And the VAT refund website. They'll ask for three pieces of information: document type, identification number, and date of birth. That's all. If a page asks for your bank details, a payment, or the code you received by text message, close it and leave: it's not official.

Also important: sometimes you check and the system says there's no open payment cycle at that moment. That's normal. Transfers occur in cycles throughout the year, not every month. To make sure you don't miss any dates, you might find our [link to relevant section/reference] helpful. subsidy payment schedule.

How is the money collected and who delivers it?

In 2026, delivery is made by money order. The operator is the temporary consortium of SuRed and Supergiros, The payments are distributed at thousands of locations in municipalities across the country. When your household has a payment ready, Prosperidad Social sends you a notification to the number you registered, with the payment method and withdrawal conditions. You go to the authorized location, present your original document, and collect the payment.

The process is free from start to finish. There's no need to pay an "agent," there are no fees, and no one is authorized to charge you for delivering your subsidy.

How much money does each household receive per cycle in 2026?

We're going to be honest with you here. The exact value per cycle for 2026 varies depending on the entity's definition and the UVT (Tax Value Unit) for the year, and several media outlets publish different figures. Since we don't want to give you a number that might not add up later, we ask that you verify the current amount directly on the official Prosperidad Social website when you check your payment. That's the only information that matters. If you have any doubts about the tax treatment of the benefit, the tax source is the DIAN on dian.gov.co.

How can I recognize a VAT refund scam?

Prosperidad Social was clear: all procedures are free and do not require intermediaries. That's the golden rule. Be wary if someone asks you for money to "help you get the benefit," if they send you a suspicious link via WhatsApp requesting bank details, or if they tell you to pay a fee to "release" the payment. None of that exists in the official program. If in doubt, consult only official channels and never give your password to anyone. If you want to learn more, check out our guide on how to recognize subsidy scams.

This guide is part of our Complete guide to state aid and subsidies in Colombia, where we organize all the programs in one place.

How Hepacom accompanies you

At the Hechos Para la Comunidad Foundation, we work every day with families who depend on this support to make ends meet. We don't process VAT refunds or manage payments; that's done by the official entity. What we do is explain how it works in clear terms, help you avoid scams, and guide you to the right channel. And because our heart is in the decent housing, We'd like to remind you that while support like this might ease the burden on the market this week, owning your own home changes your family's life forever. If you'd like to learn more about housing subsidy programs and other initiatives we support, please visit [website address]. our blog.

Steps to find out if your household receives a VAT refund

The VAT refund (or compensation) is available to targeted households without requiring separate registration. These general steps will help you verify your status securely. Always confirm with the official sources (Prosperidad Social and the DIAN).

Passed	To do
1. Gather your document	Have the identity document of the person who heads the household on hand.
2. Go to the official channel	Enter the official Prosperidad Social portal by typing the address by hand.
3. Check your status	Check if your household appears as a beneficiary according to official information.
4. Check the payment method	Confirm the operator or entity through which the money order is delivered, according to the official notice.

These are general guidelines. Targeting, amounts, and payment methods vary by cycle; check your case through the official channels of Prosperidad Social and the DIAN.

Common mistakes with VAT refunds

• Thinking that you have to "register" by paying: The benefit is based on targeted access and there is no charge to access it.
• Trusting messages that say "your transfer is ready" with a link: Always check the official website, not the link.
• Not updating your contact information: makes it difficult to receive legitimate notifications about your transaction.

Frequently asked questions about VAT refunds

Do I need to register to receive a VAT refund?

No. There is no registration. Prosperidad Social selects households automatically using the Sisbén IV database and other records. If someone offers to register you in exchange for money, it's a scam.

Is a VAT refund the same as a Citizen's Income?

No, they are different programs, although many households receive both and sometimes they arrive together. The Citizen's Income program has its own conditions; you can see the Citizen's Income requirements in our guide.

Where do I collect my VAT refund?

At authorized SuRed and Supergiros locations. Prosperidad Social will notify you of the location and dates. Bring your original document and do not pay any commission.

What do I do if the page says there is no payment available?

Wait until the next cycle. Payments are not monthly. Check back later on the official website and review our payment schedule.

Information guide. The procedure is handled by the official entity. Verify through the official channel. Hepacom does not charge or process payments.