The Tax Advantages and Opportunities for Tunisians Living Abroad in Implementing Projects in Tunisia
23.12.2024,The Tax Advantages and Opportunities for Tunisians Living Abroad in Implementing Projects in Tunisia
Conditions Required to Benefit fromthe Privileged Tax Regime:
Under the current legislation aimed at encouraging investment, any Tunisian citizen residing abroad who wishes to launch an economic project can benefit from a favorable tax regime, which includes total or partial exemption from duties and taxes related to the importation or acquisition of equipment and materials necessary for the implementation of their project. This exemption also applies to a specific truck classified under tariff position 87.04. The tax advantages are outlined as follows:
1. Exemption from Import or Acquisition Duties and Taxes: Equipment and materials can be imported or acquired locally within the framework of companies operating under the private warehouse regime, without being subject to import duties and taxes.
2. Suspension of VAT and Turnover Taxes: The acquisition of equipment and materials on the local market from VAT-registered entities benefits from a suspension of value-added tax, consumption tax, and turnover-related taxes, allowing for significant cost reductions.
3. Tax Advantage on the Acquisition of a Truck: The beneficiary of this tax measure is required to pay 10% of the duties and taxes due on a truck classified under tariff position 87.04.
It is important to note that these tax advantages are granted only once, in a non-renewable manner, either upon the importation of equipment and materials or upon their acquisition on the local market or from companies operating under the private warehouse regime. This exemption is exclusively reserved for individuals residing abroad, and no further requests can be made to benefit again from these same advantages, even if the imported items are re-exported or if the beneficiary's tax situation has been regularized by the payment of the due duties and taxes.
Finally, vehicles benefiting from this tax exemption are registered under the normal series "RS" and are subject to a five-year non-transferability condition, ensuring that these vehicles cannot be transferred before this period.
This privileged tax regime aims to stimulate investment and support projects undertaken by Tunisians living abroad, thereby contributing to the economic development of the country.
Conditions Related to Beneficiaries:
To benefit from the advantageous tax regime, the interested party must engage in import, loading, or acquisition operations on the local market, or purchase from companies operating under the private warehouse regime, concerning equipment, materials, and vehicles (including rolling stock), within a maximum period of one year from the date of their last entry into Tunisia.
The privileged tax regime is granted to individuals meeting the following conditions:
- Be of Tunisian nationality and have attained at least 18 years of age on the date of the application for this regime's benefits.
- Have resided abroad for a minimum period of two years, this period immediately preceding the date of their last entry into Tunisian territory.
- The total duration of stay in Tunisia during the two years mentioned in the second point must not exceed 183 days for each period of 365 days.
Note:
The "date of last entry into Tunisia" is defined as the date of entry into Tunisian territory of the concerned individual, immediately preceding the submission of their application to benefit from the privileged tax regime, or the date of their definitive return, as declared in writing to customs services and subject to an official written decision.
The advantageous tax regime may also be granted to married Tunisian women, provided they meet the aforementioned conditions, regardless of their age at the date of their last entry into Tunisia.
Conditions Related to Materials, Equipment, and Trucks:
The beneficiary of the privileged tax regime must proceed with the importation or acquisition of materials, equipment, and trucks (including rolling stock) exclusively from companies operating under the private warehouse regime, without currency transfer.
In the case of a local market acquisition, the interested party is required to provide proof of the importation of an equivalent amount in foreign currency to the value of the locally made acquisitions.
The trucks and rolling stock subject to the request for the benefit of the privileged tax regime must meet the following conditions:
- Be classified under tariff position numbers ranging from 87.01 to 87.05 of the customs duties tariff (for example: road tractor, agricultural tractor, motor vehicle intended for the transport of goods, tow truck, crane truck, fire-fighting vehicle, concrete mixer, street sweeper, radiological vehicle, etc.).
- Be the exclusive property of the individual requesting the benefit of the privileged tax regime.
Literal Translation:
Do not exceed an age of five years from the date of first registration upon their importation.
Must be acquired from an authorized automobile dealer or, in the case of purchase on the local market, from a local manufacturer specialized in the sale of automobiles. The same applies to acquisitions made from companies operating under the private warehouse regime.