Fifty-one violations have been recorded by the National Bureau for Revenue (NBR) as it conducted 260 inspection visits to local markets across Bahrain during the third quarter of this year.
Administrative fines were imposed in accordance with the law in 41 cases of value-added tax (VAT) violations, said a statement yesterday.
The most frequently reported violation was the failure to comply with the conditions for issuing VAT invoices, in addition to other violations such as failure to show prices inclusive of VAT, failure to display a VAT certificate in a visible location, failure to issue VAT invoices, and issuance of VAT invoices on non-VATable supplies.
Ten other violations related to the acquisition of excise goods with unpaid excise, and the supply of excise goods without a valid and active digital stamp. Administrative fines were imposed in these cases too.
The statement added that the NBR’s intensified oversight efforts also led to the identification of suspicious cases of VAT and excise evasion, in which legal actions were taken against violators.
Those who were proven to have committed evasion crimes which may be punishable by imprisonment for five years and a fine equivalent to three times the amount of VAT due or by imprisonment for one year and a fine equivalent to double the evaded excise were referred to competent authorities.
The NBR reaffirmed that the inspection visits were part of its continuous commitment to ensure business compliance with VAT and excise regulations.
The visits also aimed to maintain market monitoring, ensure high levels of protection for consumer rights, and combat VAT and excise evasion.
The bureau stressed the importance of adhering to all regulations and legislation to ensure the effective implementation of VAT and excise.
The NBR urged all concerned parties to report any violations by contacting the NBR call centre on 80008001 available 24 hours, seven days a week, or through the national suggestions and complaints system, Tawasul.
More information is available on the NBR’s website www.nbr.gov.bh.
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