Despite bagging 22.4 billion birr in tax revenue during the first half of the 2020/21 fiscal year, the Addis Ababa Revenues Bureau expressed its frustration over rampant counterfeit receipts which have affected its revenues collection.

Despite losing two billion Birr in tax revenues in the last three months, the Ministry of Revenues is confident that its inability to collect tax from Tigray will not have an impact on its annual performance.

Ethiopia’s government plans to increase its annual tax revenues by more than ten folds to 3.4 trillion birr by 2030, Planning and Development Commission announced.

The Ministry of Revenues has recognized 200 selected taxpayers in three categories, platinum, gold and silver levels, for their loyalty in paying taxes.

In order to help businesses withstand the growing impacts of COVID-19, the Addis Ababa City Administration has decided to waive some 4.5 billion birr in interests and penalties on unpaid tax, accumulated since 2005, benefiting some 7,800 taxpayers in the capital, The Reporter has learnt.

In an effort to stimulate the economy, the government has introduced tax waivers, cost sharing measures and the like, that will benefit 80 percent of businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

In a bid to raise its tax revenue, the Ethiopian Government has tabled a draft excise tax proclamation to the House of People’s Representatives (HPR) that would see a sharp rise in taxation of second-hand imported vehicles, which could go as high as 500 percent.

A group of foreign businesses have echoed their frustration over the taxation and customs laws and procedures that are creating inconveniences in their day-to-day business activities and investment operations.

The rebranded Tourism Ethiopia is set to establish a tourism fund, an institution financed from various sources including an upcoming tourist tax system.

In its recent campaign, the Addis Ababa City Tax Authority has detained four wholesalers of ceramics, granite and bathroom accessories for tax evasion.