KABUL (Pajhwok): The Ministry of Finance (MoF) on Monday appreciated eight large taxpayers for what it said timely and accurate tax payments.
Among those appreciated included Afghan Wireless Communication Company (AWCC), Afghanistan International Bank (AIB), Alokozay international limited, Kam Air Airways and Alokozay non-alcoholic beverage company.
The remaining were foreign companies such as Saladin Security Company, Automotive Service and Venco Imtiaz Construciton Comjpany (VICC).
Mujeeb Rahman Sherzad, director of customs and revenue at MoF, said on the occasion that the companies appreciated paid their taxes on time and accurately compared to other large taxpayers.
Shafiq Ahmad Qarizada, deputy minister of revenue and customs, said some companies did not pay taxes on time.
“Consequences of not paying taxes are dangerous because Afghanistan has a commitment with the international community to become self sufficient. And if companies do not pay taxes, we will face a big problem.”
“I want to assure the people of Afghanistan that by imposing high taxes, we cannot become self-sufficient, we are searching other ways to reach this goal,” Qarizada said.
He said the government was trying to create new sources of income and the goal could be achieved by fighting corruption and using technology.
Abdul Habib Zadran, head of large taxpayer department at MoF, said at present there were 490 large taxpayers including airlines, communication, construction, trade, manufacturing, mining, banking and others.
The Ministry of Finance has registered businesses as large taxpayers who earnings exceed 300 million afghanis.
Zadran said large taxpayers paid 18.3 billion afghanis in taxes to the government --- 12 percent of the total national revenue.
Khan Jan Alokozay, Vice-Chairman of Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI), urged simplicity in tax collection and called on taxpayers to timely pay taxes in accordance with the law.
kh/ma
