Algeria Tackling Trade Tax Evasion, Smuggling

by Lorys Charalambous, Tax-News.com, Cyprus

12 May 2015

Algeria's Prime Minister, Abdelmalek Sellal, has launched an offensive against fraudulent cross-border trade to tackle the resultant loss in tax revenues.

Sellal has told ministers in a letter that growing illicit imports are causing damage to the national economy and must be tackled with "energy and perseverance." He has asked them to ensure measures are taken urgently to clamp down on the problem and its negative economic impact.

The initiative will begin with the establishment of a new committee consisting of experts from the tax authority, the customs authority, and financial services sector. This committee has been asked to present a report within one month.

The customs and police authorities have been instructed to tighten border controls. At the same time, the finance and business ministers have been asked to produce an up-to-date register of importers. Sellal believes that these measures will result in greatly increased tax compliance and a reduction in smuggling.

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