Overview of Tax Compliance in Kuwait

The country of Kuwait is situated in the western Asian area of the Arabian Peninsula's northeastern corner. Along with the Persian Gulf to its west, it has borders with Saudi Arabia to the south and Iraq to the north. Kuwait is a small but important country with a population that has always been dependent on commerce and trade. It is known for its rich history and bright culture. Kuwait has recently taken a prominent role in both regional and global affairs. It belongs to a number of international associations, such as the Arab League, the United Nations, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The country has also contributed to humanitarian causes and peacekeeping operations. In contrast to many other nations, Kuwait continues to preserve a distinctive tax structure. The absence of income tax on people and enterprises is one of the characteristic aspects of the Kuwaiti tax system.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Kuwaiti organisations are not subject to the income tax rule, which only applies to international firms conducting business in Kuwait. Following 3 February 2008, international businesses investing in Kuwait will have their tax responsibilities set using a fixed 15% tax rate on their net taxable earnings for each fiscal year. The enormous oil reserves of Kuwait, which have historically supported the nation's revenue stream and government budget, are the cause of this budgetary strategy.

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What are taxes?

Governments must collect taxes from citizens, businesses, and otherorganisations in order to pay for public expenses and maintain a range of services and programmes. These fees are assessed to raise money for funding necessary services like infrastructure construction, healthcare, education, defence, social welfare, and other government programmes. Taxes are the principal method used by governments to raise the money required to keep the state operating as a whole and to provide the public goods and services that benefit society as a whole. Ordinarily, laws and regulations that specify the types of taxes, the standards for tax assessment, and the procedures for collecting taxes govern the tax system. There are various types of taxes that vary from country to country.

Who is eligible to pay taxes in Kuwait?

Only Kuwaiti citizens are eligible to be tax residents under the country's current tax system. Kuwaiti nationals are not required to pay income taxes on their income. They instead give 10.5% of their income to the Kuwaiti social security system. Foreign nationals working in Kuwait are known as expatriates and are not liable to the same social security tax as Kuwaiti citizens. They might, however, be subject to additional taxes or charges, such as residency fees or particular taxes on particular goods and services.

Types of taxes in Kuwait

• Corporate Income tax: Governments apply corporate income tax, a direct tax, on the profits companies and businesses make. In numerous countries, corporate income tax is a sizable source of revenue for the government and is essential for funding public spending as well as fostering economic growth and development. Corporate income tax laws and regulations can fluctuate significantly between different countries.

In Kuwait, the flat CIT rate is now 15%. Companies that are held entirelyCooperation Council (GCC) nations by citizens of Kuwait or other Gulfs such as Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates are not subject to Kuwait's corporate income tax (CIT). Companies owned by the GCC that also have foreign ownership are liable to taxation based on the percentage of foreign ownership. According to Kuwaiti legislation, foreign businesses operating in the offshore portion of the partitioned neutral zone, which is under Saudi Arabia's authority and management, are only required to pay taxes on 50% of their taxable profits.

• Zakat: Law No. 46 of 2006 requires Kuwaiti shareholding companies to pay Zakat, which is equal to 1% of their net profits.
• Customs Duty: The customs duty is levied at a unified standard rate of 5%. Some products like tobacco or its derivative products can face a higher customs duty.
• National Labor Support Tax: By minimizing the discrepancy in salary and benefits between the public and private sectors, the NLST law's main goal is to encourage the country's employees to work in the private sector. This regulation mandates that Kuwaiti businesses that are listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) pay an employment tax of 2.5%, depending on their net yearly income.

Taxes that are not levied in Kuwait

• Excise Duty
• Property Tax
• Transfer tax
• Value Added Tax

Tax Treaties

More than 30 nations have signed tax treaties with Kuwait, which provide varied levels of tax relief depending on the provisions of each agreement. The purpose of these agreements is to avoid double taxes. For instance, Kuwait is a party to both the GCC Joint Agreement and the Arab Tax Treaty, which both generally work to prevent double taxation.

A number of nations, including Austria, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Singapore, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, China, Cyprus, Croatia, Switzerland, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Jordan, Korea, Lebanon, Mauritius, Mongolia, Netherlands, Pakistan, Poland, Romania and the United Kingdom, have also established comprehensive double taxationtreaties.

The agreements with South Africa and Algeria are now being finalized. Kuwait has also reached limited agreements with other nations to prevent double taxation on international air and marine travel revenue. Foreign businesses must still file their tax statements to be eligible for the exemptions provided under the treaties. According to Article 13 of Law No. 2 of 2008's Executive Bylaws, this obligation is required. The KTA (Kuwait Tax Authority) will check the company's eligibility for treaty advantages when it applies.

Tax period in Kuwait

The period followed in Kuwait is from 1^st January to 31^st December. This tax period can be changed with the prior permission of the authorities in Kuwait. The first tax period of the company can be a maximum of eighteen months or a minimum of six months.

Tax Returns

An individual or company is expected to file a tax return to the tax authorities explaining their financial activities and revenue for a specified time period. According to the taxpayer's records, it must be submitted within three months and fifteen days of the end of the tax year. Taxpayers may request an extension of up to 60 days to file their tax returns under certain circumstances. Once approved, they won't have to pay any taxes until the tax declaration is turned in, at which point they'll have to pay the whole amount due in one go.

Services offered by Enterslice

With Enterslice, you can find a wide variety of tax management options that are suited to your needs. Our range of experience guarantees that your company is cognizant of as well as in complete compliance with tax rules. Trust our team to assist you with company tax strategy, compliance, and advice.

Corporate Tax Advice:

• Professional advice on tax compliance and application
• Positioning about transaction taxes
• Construction of tax-efficient structures
• Ongoing changes for tax optimization
• Cross-border transaction withholding tax assessment

Tax Compliance in Companies:

• Easy tax reporting and registration
• Preparation of tax returns
• Accurate calculation of taxes owed
• Assistance in interacting with tax officials

Tax Compliance Advice:

• Enhancing strategic value and quality throughout the whole organization
• Facilitating communication between the departments of tax, finance, and law
• optimizing compliance processes and navigating regulatory changes

Tax Policy Advisory:

• Overcoming difficulties with taxes in several countries
• Making preparations to lower tax obligations while complying with evolving
• Expert advice on legal requirements

R&D Tax Assistance:

• Professional guidance in resolving tax conflicts
• Determining who qualifies for R&D super-deductions
• Ensuring legal requirements are met in order to receive R&D tax incentives

Advice from Customs and Excise:

• Detailed guidance on excise and customs issues
• Advice on duty limitations, duty deferrals, and suspension plans
• Guidelines for supply chain management and market access assistance with labelling requirements and applications for authorised

Advisory on VAT:

• VAT health checks to ensure compliance
• Assistance in preparing and submitting returns
• Assistance with VAT issues or audits
• Assistance with voluntary disclosures and VAT refunds

Acquisition and Merger:

• Expert guidance on difficult international deals
• Proactively addressing and resolving tax issues
• Enhancing tax results for efficient execution

Planning for International Taxes:

• Navigating the changing local legal and regulatory landscapes
• Aid with handling tax risks strategically
• Preserving adherence to evolving regulations

We at Enterslice are dedicated to helping you succeed in all facets of tax administration. We guarantee seamless and efficient tax solutions for your company thanks to our integrated services, sector expertise, and cutting-edge technology.