Baghdad – IA – Wissam Al-Mulla
Today, Wednesday, the General Tax Authority confirmed its work to keep pace with modern tax systems, while indicating the signing of several agreements with several international and Arab countries to prevent double taxation.
The head of the General Tax Authority, Ali Waad Allawi, said at the conference on reforming the tax system in Iraq, which was attended by the correspondent of the (INA): “We were able to overcome everything that hinders the wheel of progress of the tax system, and today we are moving with all our energy to keep pace with the tax systems, especially after security stability was achieved in The country has become a destination for investment and local and international institutions are ready to enter forcefully to invest in Iraq,” stressing, “We have become obligated, and based on the tax reform adopted by the government in its program, to move forward to create a fair tax system within transparency and equality.”
He added, “From the first day of our assignment, we took it upon ourselves to fight corruption in the tax institution, and the first result of the victory was the implementation of the self-audit system, which is the first step in preparing to implement a comprehensive tax system similar to what is done in developed countries, which would maximize non-oil revenues and enhance confidence.” between the tax administration and those charged with paying taxes, as well as reducing human intervention to achieve the highest level of justice and transparency as the Authority proceeded with implementing the system.”
He continued, “The Authority hastened to contract with electronic payment companies and implement the electronic payment system in the Authority and all of its Baghdad branches and 50 percent of our branches in the governorates, as it is an important step and helps the Authority in implementing the electronic system that contributes to safer payment operations as well as reducing extortion and corruption.”
He stressed that “the Authority worked to simplify the procedures and adopt electronic correspondence between the Authority’s center and its branches, and to adopt electronic correspondence between the Authority’s center and the Kurdistan region and other government departments, as it contributed to the speedy completion of transactions,” indicating that “the Authority seeks to cooperate with all state institutions in electronic connectivity, as it has been implemented.” The system is implemented in several departments, including the Traffic Directorates in Baghdad and the governorates, as well as the Companies Registrar Department and the Real Estate Registration Departments, because of its significant impact in reducing time, breaking the restrictions of bureaucratic procedures, and reducing corruption.”
He pointed out that “the Authority seeks geographical expansion by expanding new branches to absorb the momentum occurring in the branches to simplify procedures, and with great support from the Minister of Finance, as it obtained approval from her to open new branches in the governorates.”
He stated that “three international agreements related to double taxation were signed with Jordan, Greece and Pakistan, and there are other agreements with Arab and European countries,” stressing “the necessity of the agreements to prevent evasion and double taxation and ensure equality.”
He pointed out that “the Authority was able to achieve unprecedented high growth rates in tax revenues,” explaining that “in the first quarter of 2023, after our assignment and exceptional efforts, the Authority was able to achieve a high growth rate of 149 percent, as the Authority’s revenues increased over last year, and also Increased growth in real estate revenues in Baghdad and the governorates by approximately 75 percent compared to last year.”
Allawi stressed, “The Authority seeks to implement a comprehensive electronic system and confront all challenges, including amending legal legislation and implementing the tax will.”