Egypt’s Minister of Finance, Ahmed Kouchouk, has launched a series of direct field visits to tax centers and district offices, signaling a hands-on approach to overseeing the implementation of the nation’s first tax facilitation package. Accompanied by ETA Head Rasha Abdel Aal , these visits, part of the Ministry’s continuous monitoring efforts, aim to proactively identify and resolve any practical challenges encountered during the rollout and to reinforce key messages of cooperation and support to both taxpayers and tax authority employees.
The initiative seeks to foster a new chapter of collaboration built on trust and partnership with the business community, ultimately aiming to enhance voluntary compliance and broaden the tax base.
During visits to key locations, including the Second Large Taxpayers Center in Sixth of October City and the tax offices in Manial and Old Cairo, Minister Kouchouk delivered direct instructions to tax officials. “Facilitate procedures for our partners, the taxpayers, and engage with them directly within a framework of trust and support,” he urged. The Minister expressed significant optimism, citing his observation of a “genuine desire among colleagues at the Egyptian Tax Authority (ETA) to enrich this new path of tax reform with innovative ideas and solutions” that promote simplification and reduce disputes.
Addressing taxpayers directly, Minister Kouchouk affirmed the government’s commitment: “We offer you full support and assistance. Together, we will succeed in building an efficient tax system that is conducive to investment, ultimately contributing to the growth of your projects for the benefit of our country.” He crucially added that the effectiveness of this initial facilitation package will be assessed by neutral third parties, with taxpayer satisfaction being the core metric.
Looking ahead, Minister Kouchouk announced plans for subsequent phases of reform. “The coming period will witness the launch of successive packages addressing tax challenges with a practical, more flexible vision, centered on simplifying procedures and establishing tax certainty for taxpayers, enabling them to plan their projects effectively,” he stated.
Supporting the Minister’s initiative, Sherif El Kilany, Deputy Minister for Tax Policies, commented, “These field visits underscore our serious commitment to the meticulous implementation of the tax facilitation package on the ground. Our goal is to achieve ambitious targets in building bridges of partnership with the tax community, anchored in solid mutual trust.”
Rasha Abdel Aal added that the authority is pursuing all practical channels to motivate taxpayers to leverage the “unprecedented advantages” offered by the first facilitation package. “Clear implementing rules and instructions are in place at tax centers and offices to guide our specialized staff in flexibly applying these facilitations for the benefit of taxpayers,” she confirmed.
This concerted effort by the Ministry of Finance signifies a strategic push towards creating a more cooperative, transparent, and efficient tax environment in Egypt.
