GTA partners with MoCI on tax awareness workshop for sweetened beverage producers

As part of its ongoing commitment to raising tax awareness and addressing the tax and legal aspects of sweetened beverage production and marketing, the General Tax Authority (GTA), in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, organised an introductory workshop for producers in the sector.

The workshop was attended by dignitaries including Khalifa bin Jassim al-Jaham al-Kuwari, President, General Tax Authority, and Saleh bin Majid al-Khulaifi, Assistant Undersecretary (Industrial Affairs and Business Development) at the MoCI.

The event was also attended by representatives from several sweetened beverage producers and manufacturers, alongside officials from the GTA and the MoCI.

During the workshop, Badar Mohammed al-Dosari, head of Medium and Small Taxpayers Section at the GTA, made a comprehensive presentation on “Excise tax for producers of sweetened beverages”.

He explained the tax calculation process and outlined the legal obligations imposed on producers to ensure full compliance with tax regulations.

The workshop concluded with an open dialogue session, during which all participants’ inquiries concerning excise tax on sweetened products were addressed, and further clarifications were provided on the regulatory aspects related to production and marketing.

The excise tax was imposed in January 2019 as part of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) agreement concluded in November 2016.

In July 2019, the GCC agreed to extend the scope of the excise tax to include sweetened beverages.

This was part of the GCC’s initiative to reduce the consumption of products harmful to public health, including sweetened beverages.

The workshop underscores the GTA’s commitment to establishing a transparent tax environment and supporting producers in complying with excise tax regulations.