The Manager of Saudi Arabia’s VAT Project, Hammoud Alharby has confirmed companies suffering financial losses will not be exempted from VAT and sectors which generate more than 375,000 Riyals will have to register for the tax. Registration will be optional for sectors generating up to 185,000 Riyals. Alharby confirmed the draft VAT law will be issued in the next fortnight. Its provisions will come into force in January 2018. The penalties are expected to include paying half of the value of the tax due in addition to the tax payment if the business fails to register or if a mistake is made in the tax return.
Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers has approved new power regulations to expand the Saudi Water and Electricity Company’s (WEC) remit. The amendments mean WEC, as the Kingdom’s main water buyer, will be able to purchase desalinated, purified, treated and untreated water. The aim is boost water and electricity distribution in the country.
Saudi Arabia’s Communications and Information Technology Commission has announced citizens and expatriates will only be allowed to own two prepaid SIM cards. The announcement follows concerns over terrorist attacks in the country and the regulator hopes the restriction is temporary. The limit applies to voice and data lines in the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia’s Commercial Transactions Law has been amended. The aim is to tackle the issue of bounced cheques. Article 4(2) of the law has been amended to request the relevant authorities increase the penalties for individuals who commit offences regarding bounced cheques. These include jail sentences and naming and shaming those who issue cheques which then bounce.
News developments
News developments
