Initiating Tax Week to Promote Tax Paying Culture in Country

Mohammad Humayon Qayoumi the Acting Minister of Finance and Chief Adviser on Infrastructure to the President of Afghanistan today (Jan 15, 2020) inaugurated the celebration of Tax Week in Badam Bagh, Kabul aimed to promote the culture of tax paying.
The following attended this event: Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL), Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD), Amina Ahmady the DG of ARD and Directors of MoF, Mastofees and Revenue Sub-Directors, representatives of Government agencies, representatives of Private Sector, the authorities of Unions and taxpayers.
H.E Qayoumi the Minister of Finance in addition to expressing his gratitude to all participants said, “Empowering taxpayers and public awareness programs in center and provinces are among the key tasks and priorities of the Ministry of Finance. These issues are essential in the areas of tax reform and better coordination of revenue across the country in order to provide taxpayers with correct and timely information on reforms in the country’s tax system through regular public awareness and seminars”.
He added, “Public awareness empowers taxpayers and protect them from paying additional taxes or penalties by paying taxes on due time”. H.E. Qayoumi urged the people to work with the Ministry of Finance in promoting tax in the country.
Naseer Ahmad Durrani the Minister of MAIL stated: “Tax collections and tax payment has been modernized. Paying tax on due time is the responsibility of every person. Tax makes countries economically independent, causes economic growth and create job opportunities”. He asked all taxpayers not to avoid tax and pay tax on due time.
Mujeeb Rahman Karimi the Minister of MRRD said, “Afghanistan is a country which mostly rely on donors. Tax is one of the most important factors in the progress of developed countries. Therefore, for our people it is required to pay their tax on due time in order to make the economy of Afghanistan stable and self-sufficient”.
Mohammad Younus Momand the Vice-chairman of ACCI and Sher Baz Kamin the Chairman of Afghanistan Chamber of Industries and Mines gave information on the objective of public private partnership to all participants in the event.
Tax Week is inaugurated today and will be celebrated for three days (Jan 15-17, 2020) together with tax training programs, sports events (Wushu, swordsmanship, archery), music and entertainments.
Similarly, tax week which has been inaugurated throughout the country, advertisements for public awareness and promoting the culture of tax payment will also be conducted by the Daily Shtamani, social media, national and private radio and TV channels and other mass media.
It is noteworthy that the purpose of celebrating tax week is to raise taxpayer awareness, promote tax culture, raise public awareness, promote voluntary compliance, empower taxpayer in how to assess tax and understand their obligation, and provide professional and timely service to taxpayers resulting in avoidance of penalties on one hand and accurate collection of revenue on the other hand.