The Taliban exempts certain sectors from paying taxes

KABUL, Afghanistan – The Taliban announced in a ceremony Thursday that it has exempted some business sectors from paying taxes.

Addressing the event, Taliban Finance Minister Mohammad Nasser said that “enterprises with annual sales of up to two million Afghans ($27,000) are completely exempt from paying taxes.”

He added that for companies with annual sales exceeding two million Afghans, the tax rate was reduced from 0.5 percent. up to 0.3 percent

The announcement comes in response to widespread citizen complaints about unemployment and rising poverty levels in the country. Some residents reported difficulty providing even one meal a day for their families.

This situation also arises due to complaints from small business owners about high taxes imposed by the Taliban on various enterprises.

Additionally, several shop owners and vendors have expressed concerns about the unprecedented downturn in their businesses, stating that they are unable to cover costs such as rent and taxes.

In December 2023, the Taliban-led Ministry of Industry and Trade announced that it was offering special incentives, including a five-year tax exemption, to traders and industrialists who returned to the country.