logo
Finance ministry warns companies over delayed income tax payments

Finance ministry warns companies over delayed income tax payments

Arab Times19-04-2025

KUWAIT CITY, April 19: The Ministry of Finance has issued a firm reminder to companies delaying their income tax payments, urging them to expedite settlement to avoid fines, reports Al-Jarida daily. Citing Article Eight of the Income Tax Decree, the ministry reiterated that late payments are subject to a penalty of one percent for every 30 days—or part thereof–of delay. In a recent communication sent to a defaulting company, the ministry highlighted the consequences of failing to comply with tax regulations. It also cited Article 24 of the Executive Regulations, stating that companies have a maximum of 60 days from the date of receiving a tax assessment letter to file objections. After this period, objections will not be considered.
The ministry explained that upon reviewing the company's tax return, it was determined that the company failed to maintain proper accounting books and records as required by the provisions of Income Tax Decree No. 3/1955, its amendment Law No. 2/2008, and Article 15 of the Executive Regulations. As a result, the ministry opted not to acknowledge the reported financial results of the company and instead estimated its taxable profit at 30 percent of its revenues. Based on Article 19 of the Executive Regulations, the Tax Administration is authorized to assess taxes on an estimated basis in cases where determining the actual net income is not feasible. These scenarios include failure to submit the tax return or its attachments, missed deadlines, or the absence of required records and documentation after two formal warnings. The same applies if a taxpayer refuses to provide requested information or submits inaccurate or misleading documentation. The ministry stressed that adherence to tax obligations is critical, warning that non-compliance not only results in fines but also subjects companies to estimated assessments,w hich may significantly increase their tax liabilities.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Style or security? How culture shapes gold buying habits in Kuwait
Style or security? How culture shapes gold buying habits in Kuwait

Kuwait Times

time2 days ago

  • Kuwait Times

Style or security? How culture shapes gold buying habits in Kuwait

Every community has its go-to gold, affected by tradition, resale value, aesthetics KUWAIT: As Eid approaches, it's easy to notice how different gold markets draw in people with different nationalities. According to local jewelers, one key factor drives these preferences: karat - the measure of gold's purity mixed with other metals. The availability of certain karats across shops not only impacts price, but also influences the jewelry's color, strength and the styles favored by each community. 'Each country tends to have its own distinct preference for gold karat,' said Ahmad Gad, a jeweler at Al-Mubarakiya Gold Souq, one of the most popular markets among diverse nationalities in Kuwait. He broke down the three most common karats in Kuwait and who typically prefers each: 'Indians usually go for the rich yellow of 22K gold. Arabs lean toward 21K for its shine. As for 18K, which has a softer glow, it's often chosen by people who like European styles — Filipinos, for example.' Ahmad Gad, a jeweler in Kuwait. A vendor shows a gold necklace to a customer at the gold exhibition. The Indian favorite Indian buyers are especially drawn to 22K gold, valuing both its high purity and cultural significance. 'For Indians, what matters most is purity. If it were practical, they'd choose 24K - but it's too soft for jewelry,' said Ayoub, an Indian gold salesman who has worked in Kuwait for seven years. Pure 24-karat gold, considered 100 percent gold, is typically reserved for bars and coins, as its softness makes it unsuitable for wearable, intricately designed jewelry. To increase durability, gold is alloyed with other metals, resulting in lower karats: 22K gold contains 91.7 percent pure gold, and is ideal for the ornate, heavily detailed pieces typical in Indian culture. 'Our classic Indian pieces can only be made with 22K,' said Naresh Kumar, a jeweler at Souq Al Wataniya in Kuwait City, which mainly serves Indian and Bengali customers. 'It's also the standard karat in India, so it's easier to resell there.' Gad added, 'Every community prefers gold that can be resold easily in their home country.' Smart investment Despite its cultural significance, 22K gold is less commonly stocked in Kuwait compared to 21K. You'll find 21K gold widely available in popular markets like Al-Mubarakiya, Hawally, Salmiya and Farwaniya. According to jewelers, 21K is the most sought-after karat among Arabs. With 87.5% purity, it offers a sweet spot between visual beauty and long-term value. '21K is ideal for those who want a beautiful ornament that also holds its value,' said Gad. 'It has a higher resale price compared to lower karats, especially if it's locally made Kuwaiti gold, free of decorative cloves.' Kuwait is known for its high-quality 21K gold, thanks in part to strong trade ties with the UAE, home to some of the Gulf's most skilled goldsmiths. This partnership enables Kuwait to import a wide variety of 21K designs in large quantities. Elegant, but less valuable By contrast, 18K gold is found in smaller quantities across Kuwait, mostly in the Salmiya Gold Souq, which caters largely to Filipino buyers. While 18K contains 75 percent pure gold and is often used for dainty, European-style pieces, jewelers say it carries the highest making charges and offers weaker resale value, making it less appealing to investment-focused shoppers. 'The lower the gold's karat, the harder it is to mold,' explained Kumar. 'Working with low karats like 18K takes more time and precision, which increases labor costs.' That added labor is reflected in the making charge — a markup applied to the price of gold per gram for craftsmanship, which doesn't contribute to the resale value. Still, 18K remains the go-to for many Filipino shoppers and others who prioritize aesthetics over return value. 'I prefer 18K because it's simpler and more elegant,' said Rachel, a Filipino customer. 'The higher-karat designs are too loud - too madame. Unlike 18K pieces which I can easily stack and wear daily without feeling it's too much. For many, gold is more than a fashion statement - it's financial security. 'Gold is the most affordable investment for me right now. Instead of wasting money, I buy gold. It's like my money is still there, just preserved in a different form,' said Nada Dawod, an Egyptian gold enthusiast. 'When I was younger, I loved 18K gold,' she said. 'But once I started buying gold with my own money, I switched to 21K. It has better resale value and comes with a lower making charge. Even if I like a design in 18K, I try to find a similar one in 21K.'

Citizen blasts opaque debt campaign, files court case
Citizen blasts opaque debt campaign, files court case

Arab Times

time2 days ago

  • Arab Times

Citizen blasts opaque debt campaign, files court case

KUWAIT CITY, June 4: The Court of First Instance received a new case filed by a Kuwaiti citizen who has demanded full disclosure of the distribution and beneficiaries of donations totaling millions of dinars collected by the national campaign for refunding debtors' loans. Lawyer Reem Al-Baghdadi, representing the aggrieved citizen, requested detailed information on debt repayment records, the disbursement process, and the list of beneficiaries. She explained that her client was extremely surprised to be excluded from the current debtors' campaign beneficiary list, despite not having applied for any previous campaigns. An investigation revealed that the committee overseeing one of the previous campaigns had paid the government a fee of KD 10 owed by the citizen, based on a request from the Ministry of Justice. Her client was unaware of this payment and that his name had been included in the previous campaign's beneficiary list without his knowledge. Despite being able to pay the KD 10 fee himself, he applied to register in the latest campaign due to a large debt he could not afford to repay. Lawyer Al-Baghdadi emphasized that the purpose of this lawsuit is to clarify the mechanisms of the debtors' campaigns, ensuring transparency and fairness so that aid reaches those truly entitled to it based on clear and just criteria.

New rule adds KD 150 fee to work permits and worker transfers
New rule adds KD 150 fee to work permits and worker transfers

Arab Times

time3 days ago

  • Arab Times

New rule adds KD 150 fee to work permits and worker transfers

KUWAIT CITY, June 4: First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef issued Ministerial Resolution No. 4 of 2025, amending Resolution No. 3 of 2024. The changes affect work permit procedures, worker transfers, and fees. The new resolution cancels Article Two of Resolution No. 3 of 2024, which exempted certain sectors from paying additional fees for work permits based on need and approval by the Public Authority for Manpower. With the cancellation of this article, all previously exempted entities must now pay an additional KD 150 fee for each work permit, whether for new employment or worker transfers. Entities affected include government-owned companies; hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities licensed by the Ministry of Health; private universities, colleges, and schools; and foreign investors approved by the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority. Other affected sectors are sports clubs, federations, public benefit associations, cooperatives, labor unions, charities and endowments, agricultural plots licensed by the General Authority for Agriculture and Fisheries, hunting, livestock pens, grazing operations, commercial and investment real estate, industrial establishments, and small industries. The resolution also cancels Article Five of the 2024 decision, which required the Public Authority for Manpower's Board to prepare a study on the resolution's impact within one year and submit it, with recommendations, to the relevant minister. The new resolution signals a significant policy shift toward standardizing fees and tightening control over labor permit issuance and worker transfers across both public and private sectors.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store