The Law for the Strengthening of Public Finances (20.580) changed the game for everyone, and athletic races, despite being a stimulus for the health and physical well-being of the population, were taxed with 13% Value Added Tax (VAT). But keep reading, because not all is lost.
The vast majority of organizers will assume the VAT cost, so the prices of those races will not increase or in some cases will increase only marginally. Events such as Media Maratón Correcaminos, Carrera Bomberos, Carrera Transitemos Seguros, and BIMBO Global Energy Race, to mention just a few, decided to fully assume the VAT cost and not raise the registration price by a single cent as of July 1st.
Other organizers will offer their events with a 10% discount, so in the end the user will pay an amount barely noticeable with the incorporation of VAT. For example, a race that costs ¢12,000 will cost ¢12,204 as of July 1st with this system. In this way the user will pay only ¢204 more in the example cited, instead of the ¢1,560 they would have had to pay more with the 13% VAT.
A minority of races will charge the additional 13% VAT for now, although all organizers are analyzing the possibility of assuming partial or total VAT costs for the benefit of users.
We at A Buen Paso will also assume the VAT for platform usage commissions when registering online, so the user will not have to pay extra for this service. It is certainly an effort by all parties to keep this beautiful sport accessible at a time when many participants are already complaining about what they consider very high prices. But that is a topic for another discussion; for now, as far as the tax is concerned, if "VAT" to register, register!
Races that will fully assume the VAT (will not increase in price)
Media Maratón Correcaminos
Carrera Bomberos
Carrera Transitemos Seguros
Corramos Por Nuestra Salud
Podo Run
BIMBO Global Energy Race
Corre Por Mi Corazón
La Fortuna Run
Carrera Anna Ross (exempt)
Clásica San Silvestre
Races that will offer a 10% discount (marginal price increase with VAT)
Los Mangos y Las Flores
Triatlón Explosivo TNT
Carrera Estar Bien
Maratón JW Marriot
Carrera New Balance
Media Maratón Mujer
Desafío Momentum
Carrera San Juan Del Murciélago
