President Salva Kiir Mayardit has established an ad hoc committee to review and revoke tax exemptions granted outside the law, as the government seeks to curb revenue losses and tighten oversight of tax waivers.
A Republican Order, broadcast on the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) on Monday evening, said the committee would audit all existing tax exemptions granted to individuals, companies, non-governmental organisations and diplomatic missions to determine whether they have a legal basis and assess their impact on government revenue.
The committee will be chaired by East African Community Affairs Minister Pieng Deng Kuol, with Information Minister Ateny Wek Ateny serving as deputy chairperson. It also includes the ministers responsible for finance, justice, interior, trade, public service, livestock and fisheries, and water resources.
According to the order, the committee is mandated to identify and revoke all tax exemptions found to have been granted without a statutory basis.
It will also establish mechanisms to ensure that only exemptions provided for under national legislation, diplomatic immunity, status of forces agreements, verified international treaties and certified humanitarian assistance are recognised.
The order further directs the committee to strengthen coordination among the Ministry of Finance and Planning, the South Sudan Revenue Authority, the Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to eliminate loopholes in the administration of tax exemptions.
It also mandates the committee to recommend legal prosecution, disciplinary action or other administrative sanctions against public officials, companies or individuals found to have unlawfully issued, facilitated or benefited from non statutory tax waivers.
The committee is required to submit an interim report to President Kiir within 30 days of the order and a comprehensive report within 60 days, including recommendations for long term fiscal and legislative reforms.
and then