BTA calls for amendment of e-tax system

Fines illegal until the release of a compulsory law

The Beirut Traders Association (BTA) presented a request to the Ministry of Finance asking it to amend decisions issued on August 12, and October 25. Both decisions compel major tax payers and VAT tax payers to present declarations, periodic statements, and tax reclamation requests through the e-tax system.

According to BTA, the Ministry of Finance’s decisions are illegal. Law number 44 states that “taxpayers may send their tax declarations to the concerned administration by email,” which means that the law does not compel tax payers to use electronic means.

Those who do not comply with the Ministry’s decisions will be subject to fines.

The BTA said that the process should be kept as is, until a compulsory law is issued. It argued that not all companies have the proper infrastructure to shift to the electronic system.