NBR Identifies 36 Violations in Q1 2024 Inspections

Bahrain, 22 May, 2024 : The National Bureau for Revenue (NBR) of Bahrain continues its efforts to bolster business compliance and uphold regulatory standards, particularly concerning VAT, Excise, and the Digital Stamps Scheme. In the first quarter of 2024, the NBR conducted 343 inspection visits across various governorates to monitor markets and safeguard consumer rights.

These inspections aimed to combat VAT and Excise evasion while raising awareness about proper implementation practices. As a result, 36 VAT violations were reported, leading to the imposition of administrative fines in accordance with VAT laws. Violations included non-compliance with VAT invoice issuance conditions, failure to display prices inclusive of VAT, and absence of visible VAT certificates.

The NBR has identified several instances suspected of VAT or Excise evasion, pledging legal action against violators. Those proven guilty of evasion may face imprisonment for up to five years and fines three times the amount of VAT due, or imprisonment for one year and fines double the evaded excise amount as per Excise laws.

Emphasizing the importance of cooperation from businesses and consumers, the NBR underscores the significance of ongoing inspection campaigns to maintain high compliance standards. It encourages reporting of any violations or evasions through various channels, including the NBR call center, National Suggestions & Complaints System (Tawasul), and dedicated email addresses for VAT and the Digital Stamps Scheme queries.

Source : www.nbr.gov.bh