Syria announces sweeping tax reforms to boost transparency, investment
According to a statement carried by the state-run SANA news agency, the draft law for the new income tax system is currently open for public consultation until July 30. The reforms are designed to ease the burden on taxpayers, promote fairness, and stimulate economic activity through clearer and more equitable rules.
Under the proposed system, individuals earning less than $12,000 annually will be fully exempt from income tax, in a move aimed at supporting low-income earners.
Corporate tax rates will be tailored by sector, replacing the current 'flat income committees' with a more transparent and structured mechanism.
The reforms will also unify multiple charges into a single tax fee to eliminate double taxation, while offering deductions for taxpayers who make verified social contributions.
Enhanced digital systems—including mandatory electronic invoicing and QR code integration—will be introduced to curb tax evasion and strengthen compliance.
To improve trust and streamline the resolution of tax disputes, the ministry plans to implement simplified procedures, with complex cases referred to a specialized tax court. Notably, the burden of proving income sources will shift from the taxpayer to the tax authority—a significant change from the existing framework.
In addition, incentives will be introduced for timely payment, and a separate initiative will address the settlement of outstanding tax dues to protect public funds without overburdening taxpayers.
The Finance Ministry said the changes reflect its commitment to building a fair, flexible, and modern tax environment that can support Syria's broader economic recovery.
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Customs clearance time was reduced to just two hours, and container throughput reached 7.5 million units. Key performance indicators exceeded several targets. Military industrialization localization reached 19.35 percent, surpassing the 12.5 percent goal and up from a 7.7 percent baseline. Local content in non-oil sectors reached SR1.231 trillion, above the target of SR1.11 trillion. The number of final licenses issued for promising industries hit 3,107, compared to a target of 845 and a baseline of 169. Cumulative exports of promising industries reached SR135.6 billion, exceeding the target of SR98.7 billion. The number of re-export-linked logistics centers also surpassed targets, with 23 centers established versus a target of 16. At the highest level, NIDLP contributes to three primary pillars of Vision 2030: fostering a vibrant society, creating a thriving economy, and building an ambitious nation. 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NIDLP targets the localization of high-potential sectors such as advanced manufacturing and defense industries, while increasing local content across non-oil value chains. These initiatives are designed to unlock the full economic potential of the Kingdom's natural resources and industrial capabilities. As part of its logistics mandate, the program also works to establish and improve the performance of logistics hubs, while enhancing domestic, regional, and international connectivity across trade and transport networks. These efforts are central to NIDLP's ambition to solidify Saudi Arabia's position as a global logistics hub, reinforcing the Kingdom's strategic role in global supply chains. Overall, the program encompasses 96 detailed targets at the third level of Vision 2030 planning, 12 of which are directly linked to NIDLP initiatives. 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