Appendix I Tax Summary
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Appendix I Tax Summary ppendix I provides a summary of the tax system Each tax is described in terms of the relevant leg- a jp—4as of July 1, 1997. The tables start with a de- islative act, the definition of the tax base, the main scription of taxes levied by the central government exemptions and deductions that are applicable and followed by taxes levied by local governments. the tax rates. 71 Tax Summary as of July I, 1997 Tax Base Exemptions and Deductions Rates A. Central Government 1. Taxes on income and profits I.I Taxes on corporations Law No. 157/1981 amended by Law An annual tax on accrued net taxable Deductions allowed cover all business Profits above LE 18,000 a year (subject to No. 187/1993. profits earned in Egypt by both foreign expenses, including actual rent or the above deductions, exemptions, and so and domestic corporations (including estimated rental value of premises, wage forth) are taxed as follows: limited partnerships, joint stock and bonuses to be statutorily granted to companies, and public sector enterprises) workers, social security contributions on Industrial and export engaged in manufacturing, commerce, their behalf, savings fund and pension profits 32 percent banking, mining, real estate brokerage, fund contributions (up to 20 percent of Profits from oil exploration commercial leasing activities, and so the wage bill), inventory costs, interest, production 40.55 percent forth. Tax year is calendar year unless royalties, remunerations to Board of Other profits 40 percent stated otherwise in company's articles. Directors and allowances to major shareholders to attend general meetings, In addition, a development duty of Taxable profits include: subscriptions to governments, 2 percent is applied to all profits above contributions to charitable and social LE 18,000 annually. • realized nonreinvested capital gains; and institutions (up to 7 percent of net profits), bad debt and loss reserves (up There are no withholding taxes on • ten percent of income from moveable to 5 percent of net profits), and all other dividend distributions. capital (for joint stock companies, taxes paid. dividends received from Egyptian Corporations are required to withhold: investment joint stock companies are Joint stock companies can deduct a exempt). portion of paid up equity equal to the 1I) Interest: 32 percent on the amount interest rate declared by the Central paid plus 2 percent development tax on Forms of corporate business include: Bank of Egypt. interest in excess of LE 18,000 a year; • joint stock company Depreciation allowances are granted on (2) Royalty payments: depreciable assets mainly using the • limited liability company straight line method at varying rates (the • 32 percent on the amount paid if a following act only as guidelines): company carries on activity in Egypt. • partnerships limited by shares buildings—2 percent, furniture—6 percent, hotel furniture—12.5 percent, • If the company does not practice any They are governed by Companies' Law and machinery—10 percent. In addition, activity in Egypt, the gross amount of No. 159/1981. there is a depreciation allowance of 25 the royalty payments is subject to 32 percent of the cost of new machinery percent withholding tax plus 2 percent and equipment in the first year. development duty when the payment exceeds LE 18,000 annually. In addition to the above deductions and allowances, executive regulations allow (3) Dividend: gifts and donations (up to 7 percent of chargeable profits) in lieu of • If a company does not carry on an entertainment expenses and other public activity in Egypt, dividend distribution relations expenses. shall be subject to 32 percent withholding tax plus 2 percent Losses are allowed to be carried forward development duty when the amount for five years; losses from one source are exceeds LE 18,000 annually. not allowed to be offset against profits from another source. • There are no withholding taxes on dividend distributions if the company There is no adjustment for inflation. paying the dividends carries on the activity in Egypt and is subject to Exemptions corporate income tax. (1) Law No. 59/1979 provides a 10-year tax holiday in New Urban Communities (NUCs). (2) Law No. 230/1989 provides an indefinite tax holiday for direct taxes (on corporate profits and dividends at the individual level) for investment in free zones (seven are currently operating; two more will be coming on stream shortly). For investments outside free zones, projects must fall under specific, though broad, categories, such as industry and tourism sectors. All qualified investments receive 5 to 15 years holiday for corporate tax and individual income tax on dividends. All imported machinery and equipment is then subject to a 5 percent customs duty. (3) Law No. 187/1993 provides a 5-year corporate income tax holiday for industrial corporations employing 50 or more workers (dividends at the individual level are exempt from the tax on moveable capital). 1.2 Taxes on individuals Individual taxes are based on the "Global Unified tax is levied on five categories of (I) Tax on wages and salaries (I) Tax on wages and salaries Income Tax Law," No. 187/1993. However, income: the law distinguishes five categories of Employment-related pensions are exempt The tax rates on taxable incomes are: income: immovable property income, (I) Tax on wages and salaries as are wages of a daily worker provided commercial and industrial activities the employment is not permanent and the Up to LE 50,000 20 percent income, noncommercial/liberal The base is labor compensation in the worker has no other source of income. Over LE 50,000 32 percent professional income, moveable capital form of salaries, wages, allowances, Annuities paid by insurance companies for income, and salaries and wage income. gratuities, and benefits in kind. policies with a period of less than ten This tax is withheld at source, and The first three are calculated according years are also exempt. incomes in excess of LE 18,000 are to a graduated rate schedule. Salaries and subject to an additional 2 percent wages are taxed according to a separate Allowances that do not in total exceed development duty. graduated rate schedule. Income from LE 4,000 a year are deductible from moveable (financial) capital is taxed income. These include life insurance separately as described below. The tax on premiums, contributions to the Egyptian Egyptians is Law No. 208/1994. state social insurance and certain private Declarations must be sent to the tax insurance funds schemes, an occupational directorate before April I; wages and allowance, representation allowance, and salaries tax is deducted at source. production incentive bonuses. Personal Law No. 208/1994 imposes a tax on allowances are LE 1,440 for single income derived by Egyptians performing persons, and LE 1,680 for married couples employee services abroad. without children or unmarried with children, and LE 1,920 for a married person supporting one or more children. Tax Summary (continued) Tax Base Exemptions and Deductions Rates In addition, some other allowable deductions from the tax base include: • contributions to the Egyptian state social insurance; • life insurance premiums and certified private insurance funds scheme provided the total amount does not exceed 15 percent of total income or LE 1,000, whichever is less. (2) "Unified" tax on income from (2) "Unified" tax: Under the tax on (2) "Unified" tax: The amount of tax commercial and industrial activities, commercial and industrial activities, the owing on profits is calculated as follows: professions, and real estate activities. The following deductions apply: rents of either Egyptian firm subject to this tax includes owner-occupied or owned by the Up to LE 2,500 20 percent sole partnerships, general partnerships, business; annual depreciation based on LE 2,501-7,000 27 percent and simple limited partnerships. historical cost, net of initial allowances; LE 7,001-16,000 35 percent direct taxes except those paid under this LE 16,001-27,000 40 percent • For the tax on commercial and industrial law; donations; actual and doubtful activities income, the base is net profits, financial losses; social insurance payments; LE 27,001-68,000 45 percent including capital gains, letting of contributions for employees to special Over LE 68,000 48 percent commercial and furnished premises or savings and pension funds (up to 20 plants, selling assets, building or dealing percent of payroll); mobile capital revenue In addition, the development duty of 2 in real estate, exploitation of natural and taxes on agricultural land and real percent is applied to the unified income resources, poultry farms, animal estate, with 10 percent of these revenues tax base above LE 18,000. Personal husbandry, and land reclamations. Net included in the base of the unified tax. allowances are the same as those under profits also include 10 percent of Losses may be carried forward for five the wage and salary tax. moveable capital and real estate years. There are various exemptions, revenues. including profits from stock breeding and fishing and private insurance funds. • The tax on noncommercial professions applies to income earned in Egypt or Under the real estate tax, a deduction of abroad. 20 percent is applied against "costs" (these are not defined by law but seem • The real estate wealth tax is applied to to imply rental payments). Losses may be agricultural land revenues and building carried forward for five years. revenues. The revenues are based on the assessment used for property taxes under Law No. 56. (3) The tax on moveable capital is (3) Besides interest on bank savings (3) Income subject to the moveable applied (at the source) on payments to accounts, other exempt forms of income capital tax is taxed at 32 percent.