Latest news with #RashaAbdelAal
Zawya
15 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
35% rise in tax revenues for FY2024/2025 with no new burdens: Egypt's ETA chief
Egypt - Rasha Abdel Aal, Head of the Egyptian Tax Authority (ETA), announced that Egypt has emerged as a leading regional model for the digital transformation of tax administration. Within just a few years, the authority has successfully shifted from a paper-based system to a fully integrated digital ecosystem, now covering all aspects of tax operations. This transition, driven by comprehensive databases and advanced digital platforms, has significantly improved collection efficiency and voluntary compliance. Abdel Aal made these remarks at the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) held in Rabat, Morocco, attended by 22 heads of tax authorities from across the continent. The annual event is one of Africa's largest tax gatherings. Her speech received widespread praise from ATAF's chair and other participants, who commended Egypt's achievements in digitalisation and capacity building. She noted that in February 2025, the ETA introduced the first package of tax facilitation measures aimed at supporting the business community and fostering trust with taxpayers. This package focused on removing administrative obstacles and resolving tax disputes swiftly and transparently, reinforcing tax fairness. A central component of the reforms was Law No. 6 of 2025, which established a simplified tax system for businesses with annual turnover below EGP 20m. The law applies a tiered tax system based on turnover, helping to integrate informal economic activities into the formal economy. Abdel Aal outlined the ETA's digital transformation strategy, built around key pillars: the mandatory e-filing system launched in January 2021; the rollout of e-invoicing and e-receipt platforms, which have collectively processed over 1.5 billion digital documents; and the establishment of a dedicated e-commerce unit, which has registered over 225,000 business activities, including major international platforms. She also highlighted the adoption of a unified payroll tax system, which contributed to a 36% year-on-year increase in tax revenues. Meanwhile, the electronic tax risk management system enabled the recovery of more than EGP 12bn in previously unpaid taxes, supported by expanded data-sharing with other government entities. Abdel Aal confirmed that total tax revenues for fiscal year 2024/2025 rose by 35% without imposing any additional tax burdens on citizens or businesses. 'We aspire to work together based on shared goals to strengthen policies that combat tax evasion and avoidance, prevent profit shifting, and stop base erosion, ensuring sustainable development across all countries of our continent,' Abdel Aal concluded. © 2025 Daily News Egypt. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Daily News Egypt
a day ago
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
35% rise in tax revenues for FY2024/2025 with no new burdens: ETA chief
Rasha Abdel Aal, Head of the Egyptian Tax Authority (ETA), announced that Egypt has emerged as a leading regional model for the digital transformation of tax administration. Within just a few years, the authority has successfully shifted from a paper-based system to a fully integrated digital ecosystem, now covering all aspects of tax operations. This transition, driven by comprehensive databases and advanced digital platforms, has significantly improved collection efficiency and voluntary compliance. Abdel Aal made these remarks at the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) held in Rabat, Morocco, attended by 22 heads of tax authorities from across the continent. The annual event is one of Africa's largest tax gatherings. Her speech received widespread praise from ATAF's chair and other participants, who commended Egypt's achievements in digitalisation and capacity building. She noted that in February 2025, the ETA introduced the first package of tax facilitation measures aimed at supporting the business community and fostering trust with taxpayers. This package focused on removing administrative obstacles and resolving tax disputes swiftly and transparently, reinforcing tax fairness. A central component of the reforms was Law No. 6 of 2025, which established a simplified tax system for businesses with annual turnover below EGP 20m. The law applies a tiered tax system based on turnover, helping to integrate informal economic activities into the formal economy. Abdel Aal outlined the ETA's digital transformation strategy, built around key pillars: the mandatory e-filing system launched in January 2021; the rollout of e-invoicing and e-receipt platforms, which have collectively processed over 1.5 billion digital documents; and the establishment of a dedicated e-commerce unit, which has registered over 225,000 business activities, including major international platforms. She also highlighted the adoption of a unified payroll tax system, which contributed to a 36% year-on-year increase in tax revenues. Meanwhile, the electronic tax risk management system enabled the recovery of more than EGP 12bn in previously unpaid taxes, supported by expanded data-sharing with other government entities. Abdel Aal confirmed that total tax revenues for fiscal year 2024/2025 rose by 35% without imposing any additional tax burdens on citizens or businesses. 'We aspire to work together based on shared goals to strengthen policies that combat tax evasion and avoidance, prevent profit shifting, and stop base erosion, ensuring sustainable development across all countries of our continent,' Abdel Aal concluded.
Daily News Egypt
19-07-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
ETA to support developing countries in transfer pricing, international taxation: Abdel Aal
Rasha Abdel Aal, Head of the Egyptian Tax Authority (ETA), has announced the Authority's official participation as a partner tax administration in the 'Tax Inspectors Without Borders' (TIWB) initiative, after previously being among the first African tax authorities to benefit from its support since 2016. Abdel Aal stated that, with the full backing and ongoing guidance of Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk for institutional development and international cooperation efforts, the Authority continues to consolidate its position as one of the region's leading tax administrations. She described this transition from beneficiary to technical partner as an unprecedented milestone in the Authority's history. She stressed that this new role reflects the Authority's significant progress in the field of international taxation. She noted that the initiative is a joint project between the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), funded by the European Union. Abdel Aal explained that Egypt will now offer technical assistance to developing countries aiming to enhance their expertise in transfer pricing and international taxation. This support will draw on the Authority's accumulated experience and the outcomes of previous cooperation under the initiative. She added that, in recent years, the Authority has implemented four capacity-building programmes for tax inspectors through the initiative, supported by experts from the OECD, UNDP and several independent consultants. The current programme, she noted, is conducted in collaboration with His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in the United Kingdom and focuses on complex transfer pricing issues in sectors such as extractive industries, financial services, and telecommunications. Abdel Aal emphasised that the initiative's support has played a key role in developing sustainable capabilities within the Authority. This includes training 37 inspectors in transfer pricing and international taxation, establishing a dedicated unit for transfer pricing and international tax, and achieving a notable rise in tax revenues through improved examination of multinational companies' pricing practices based on international standards. She also highlighted several reforms to tax policy and regulatory procedures introduced following recommendations by initiative experts. She affirmed that joining the initiative as a partner is international recognition of the Egyptian Tax Authority's commitment to capacity building and global cooperation. 'We are proud of this historic achievement,' she said, 'and we look forward to sharing our expertise with tax administrations in developing countries within the framework of international cooperation led by the initiative. This reinforces Egypt's leading role in shaping tax policy and audit practices globally.' For its part, the OECD confirmed that the ETA's participation as a partner demonstrates its commitment to knowledge sharing and building a more collaborative international tax environment.
Zawya
10-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
New tax facilities set stage for rapid growth of micro, small enterprises: Egypt's ETA chief
Egypt - Rasha Abdel Aal, Chairperson of the Egyptian Tax Authority (ETA), announced that the Authority is intensifying efforts to promote awareness of Egypt's new tax facilities package and its benefits for enterprise growth, in line with a broader strategy to foster formalisation and economic inclusion. 'We continue to engage directly with the business community to encourage companies to register under the new system ahead of the legal deadlines and to incentivise informal businesses to enter the formal economy,' said Abdel Aal. She emphasised that the newly introduced tax facilities offer micro and small enterprises a significant opportunity to expand their operations and achieve accelerated growth. The simplified tax system, enacted under Law No. 6 of 2025, is available to all self-employed individuals and freelancers whose annual turnover is below EGP 20 million. Eligible categories include doctors, engineers, artists, media professionals, accountants, lawyers, craftsmen, and other independent professionals. According to Abdel Aal, the new regime applies a proportional tax rate based on declared turnover, starting at 0.4% for turnover under EGP 500,000 and up to 1.5% for turnover below EGP 20m. Tax obligations begin the day after registration, and registrants benefit from full waivers on tax dues and penalties for prior periods—an approach described as 'forgiveness for past periods.' Ragab Mahrous, Advisor to the ETA Chair, highlighted during a recent awareness campaign at the Red Sea Tax Directorate—organised in cooperation with the Future of the Nation Party—that registrants under this simplified integrated system are exempt from tax inspection for five years following enrolment. Mohsen El-Gayar, General Manager of Customer Service for the Canal Cities region, outlined the Tax Authority's broader transformation since 2018, including the launch of key digital systems. These include e-filing, the new core tax management system (SAB), e-invoicing, the e-receipt platform, unified payroll tax calculation standards, and upgraded infrastructure. He noted that these initiatives have enabled real-time support and effective problem resolution for taxpayers. El-Gayar also pointed to Law No. 5 of 2025, effective until 12 August, which allows taxpayers to resolve ongoing disputes by filing or amending tax returns for the years 2020 to 2024 without incurring financial penalties. He described the law as a turning point in strengthening the government's partnership with taxpayers and encouraging voluntary compliance. © 2024 Daily News Egypt. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Daily News Egypt
09-07-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
New tax facilities set stage for rapid growth of micro, small enterprises: ETA chief
Rasha Abdel Aal, Chairperson of the Egyptian Tax Authority (ETA), announced that the Authority is intensifying efforts to promote awareness of Egypt's new tax facilities package and its benefits for enterprise growth, in line with a broader strategy to foster formalisation and economic inclusion. 'We continue to engage directly with the business community to encourage companies to register under the new system ahead of the legal deadlines and to incentivise informal businesses to enter the formal economy,' said Abdel Aal. She emphasised that the newly introduced tax facilities offer micro and small enterprises a significant opportunity to expand their operations and achieve accelerated growth. The simplified tax system, enacted under Law No. 6 of 2025, is available to all self-employed individuals and freelancers whose annual turnover is below EGP 20 million. Eligible categories include doctors, engineers, artists, media professionals, accountants, lawyers, craftsmen, and other independent professionals. According to Abdel Aal, the new regime applies a proportional tax rate based on declared turnover, starting at 0.4% for turnover under EGP 500,000 and up to 1.5% for turnover below EGP 20m. Tax obligations begin the day after registration, and registrants benefit from full waivers on tax dues and penalties for prior periods—an approach described as 'forgiveness for past periods.' Ragab Mahrous, Advisor to the ETA Chair, highlighted during a recent awareness campaign at the Red Sea Tax Directorate—organised in cooperation with the Future of the Nation Party—that registrants under this simplified integrated system are exempt from tax inspection for five years following enrolment. Mohsen El-Gayar, General Manager of Customer Service for the Canal Cities region, outlined the Tax Authority's broader transformation since 2018, including the launch of key digital systems. These include e-filing, the new core tax management system (SAB), e-invoicing, the e-receipt platform, unified payroll tax calculation standards, and upgraded infrastructure. He noted that these initiatives have enabled real-time support and effective problem resolution for taxpayers. El-Gayar also pointed to Law No. 5 of 2025, effective until 12 August, which allows taxpayers to resolve ongoing disputes by filing or amending tax returns for the years 2020 to 2024 without incurring financial penalties. He described the law as a turning point in strengthening the government's partnership with taxpayers and encouraging voluntary compliance.
