99pc registration success

The National Bureau for Revenue (NBR) has affirmed that 99 per cent of local and international enterprises operating in the Kingdom have successfully registered with the NBR.  The NBR identified 12 enterprises that are in violation of Bahrain’s VAT Law and its executive regulations by not submitting their VAT registration application, paying the VAT within the deadline, or filing their VAT return form.

The NBR has imposed financial fines on businesses, which have violated the VAT law and its executive regulations, and will continue to take action against violating enterprises, which may lead to the suspension of their commercial registration by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism. The NBR noted that the continuous support provided by local and international enterprises operating in the Kingdom has enabled them to construct a more effective and efficient registration process.

The VAT is a joint responsibility that requires constructive strategic co-operation among three main pillars: the government, businesses, and the community, the NBR said in a statement issued. The NBR has urged all stakeholders to report violations by calling 80008001 or emailing vat@nbr.gov.bh. Earlier this month, a special directive was issued by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa to exempt 220 additional government services from VAT.

HRH the Premier’s directive has now put the total number of VAT-exempt government services at 1,620. In another development, In line with the directives of HM the King to review the mechanisms of applying various fees over various services, and noting the importance of taking into account the needs of citizens, HRH the Premier, directed the cancellation of fees for 200 government services, across 10 government entities.