Finance ministry suspends non-statutory tax exemptions

The ministry of finance and planning has ordered the immediate suspension of all non-statutory discretionary exemptions from customs duties, taxes, and other charges and fees due to the national government.

According to the order issued by the Minister of Finance and Planning, Dier Tong Ngor, the move is meant to help the government collect more taxes.

“I, Dier Tong Ngor, Minister of Finance and Planning, do hereby issue this Ministerial Order for the immediate suspension of all non-statutory discretionary exemptions from customs duties, taxes, and other charges and fees due to the National Government of the Republic of South Sudan,” the order read.

Ngor said the order was part of the financial reforms required by the agreement as per the revitalised peace agreement.

“In line with the ongoing implementation of public financial management reforms by the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity, there is a need to enhance transparency and limit discretion in granting tax exemptions since they do represent a form of public expenditures, which should ideally be considered part and parcel of the government budget approval process,” Ngor said.

Ngor appealed to the National Revenue Authority to stop allowing such exemptions.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the National Revenue Authority is hereby directed to stop granting non-statutory discretionary exemptions from customs duties, taxes, and other government charges and fees,” he said.

He added that those who have been gaining from the exemptions should visit the financial ministry for review.

“Current beneficiaries of such non-statutory exemptions are hereby advised to re-submit their application to the Ministry of Finance and Planning for re-evaluation and potential review of legislation to accommodate eligible ones in line with Article 169(9) of the constitution,” he said.