Mogadishu (Dawan Africa) – Somalia’s Ministry of Finance has issued on Monday a strong warning to businesses and individuals accused of tax evasion, pledging decisive legal action in partnership with law enforcement and the judiciary.
The warning followed a meeting chaired by Deputy Minister of Finance, Abdiqafar Elmi Hange, where discussions focused on strengthening compliance with value-added tax (VAT), customs duties, and property rental taxes. Senior officials from the Attorney General’s Office, the Tax Enforcement Division, and the Revenue Department were in attendance.
In a statement, ministry officials declared: “We remind Somali business owners and taxpayers about the crimes of tax evasion and tax refusal. Stronger laws are now in place to prevent and prosecute such acts. Every business or individual who evades taxes will face legal consequences.”
The government said prosecutions will soon begin for cases already under investigation, including instances where personal identification numbers were misused instead of official merchant numbers.
“Taxes are not collected through persuasion. The government will use all relevant agencies, especially the Attorney General’s Office, to bring offenders before the courts. Anyone found guilty of tax crimes will face prosecution,” the statement added.
According to the ministry, the measures include both prevention and enforcement, with future cases to be broadcast live in audio and video to ensure transparency.
