Ministry steps up VAT awareness drive

As part of the directives issued by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to review the Value-Added Tax Law (VAT Law) implementation mechanisms, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism (MICT)’s Inspection Directorate in co-ordination with the Consumer Protection Directorate intensified the inspection and monitoring of commercial outlets and disseminating awareness among traders and shop owners regarding the importance of compliance with the law.

The ministry inspectors carried out intensive and diversified inspection tours this morning to the various commercial markets and services all across Bahrain to ensure that VAT is not charged or levied on exempted consumer goods and services. The ministry reiterated its call to the commercial sector for compliance with the VAT rules and the law by registering in the National Bureau for Taxation (NBT)’s website: www. nbt.gov.bh in compliance with the relevant rules and regulations.

The ministry called all citizens and consumers to co-operate with the ministry and with all the relevant governmental authorities by reporting any violations or breaches of the law, by calling the National Call Centre hotline: 80008001. The ministry is thoroughly monitoring to ensure application of the relevant laws to maintain the interest of both the consumer and the commercial sector.