The General Authority for Zakat and Tax (GZAT) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has announced a number of measures to assist businesses overcome the difficulties arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The due dates for filing tax returns that are due for periods ending between 18 March 2020 and 30 June 2020 have been extended for three (3) months. The concerned returns include those for:
- Zakat and Corporate Income Tax
- Withholding Tax
- Value Added Tax
- Excise Tax.
Accordingly, the above move will defer the payment dates of these taxes to GZAT thus relieving the pressure on corporations to secure and make these payments.
The following tax returns will be affected:
TAX | TAX RETURN PERIOD | DUE DATE | DEFERRED DUE DATE |
|
Value Added Tax | 1 January 2020 | 31 March 2020 | 30 April 2020 | 31 July 2020 |
Value Added Tax | 1 February 2020 | 29 February 2020 | 31 March 2020 | 30 June 2020 |
Value Added Tax | 1 March 2020 | 31 March 2020 | 30 April 2020 | 31 July 2020 |
Value Added Tax | 1 April 2020 | 30 April 2020 | 31 May 2020 | 31 August 2020 |
Value Added Tax | 1 May 2020 | 31 May 2020 | 30 June 2020 | 30 September 2020 |
Excise Tax | 1 March 2020 | 30 April 2020 | 15 May 2020 | 15 August 2020 |
Withholding Tax | 1 March 2020 | 31 March 2020 | 10 April 2020 | 10 July 2020 |
Withholding Tax | 1 April 2020 | 30 April 2020 | 10 May 2020 | 10 August 2020 |
Withholding Tax | 1 May 2020 | 31 May 2020 | 10 June 2020 | 10 September 2020 |
Zakat and Corporate Income Tax | 1 January 2019 | 31 December 2019 | 30 April 2020 | 31 July 2020 |
Further measures introduced are as follows:
- Fines resulting from delayed tax return submissions and tax payments have been suspended for the period from 18 March 2020 till 30 June 2020
- Fines resulting from non-cooperation from a taxpayer and for examination by GZAT have been suspended for the period from 18 March 2020 till 30 June 2020
- Fines for late payment of installments have been suspended for the period from 18 March 2020 till 30 June 2020
- The submission of bank guarantees to GZAT has been suspended for the period from 18 March 2020 till 30 June 2020
- Temporary deferment of Value Added Tax payments for the import of goods by a tax registrant for its economic activities that is payable to the Customs Authority in accordance with the applicable VAT Return for the period which relates to the import
- Temporary deferral of Excise Tax payable to the Customs Authority on the import of goods subject to excise tax on condition of payment and the submission of a temporary declaration on the deferred due date
- Deferral of the collection of customs duties for a period of thirty days upon submission of a suitable bank guarantee for the next three months
- GZAT is to expedite all refund payments due to taxpayers
The above are a welcome alleviation of financial pressures on companies doing business in KSA during the COVID-19 restrictions.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.