Learn about Egypt's new VAT guidelines for non-registered foreign digital service providers, effective June 2023 with distinct rates for B2B and B2C.
The Egyptian Tax Authority (ETA) published VAT guidelines for digital and remote services provided by non-registered foreign companies.
The effective date for applying VAT on digital and other remote services in Egypt is June 22, 2023.
The VAT guidelines provide clarification on the following:
A remote service is considered to be provided in Egypt if the recipient is a tax resident of the country. Anything other than goods that are provided without a physical connection between the place where the recipient is located and the place where the service is provided falls under the definition of remote services. This definition includes services provided digitally and electronically but also by any other remote means (e.g. legal advice).
There is a registration threshold of EGP 500,000 annual turnover for digital and remote services unless the service is a professional or consultancy service, in which case there is no threshold.
Foreign digital service providers should charge VAT on B2C transactions. The applicable VAT rate is 14% unless it is a professional or consultancy service, in which case it is 10%.
The reverse charge applies to B2B transactions. The registered local company must provide its TIN to the foreign supplier. Consequently, the foreign supplier must validate the Egyptian TIN of their business customers.
In the case of marketplaces or electronic distribution platforms (EDPs) that act as intermediaries in taxable transactions, they should register, collect and remit VAT instead of the foreign supplier. The EDP is the deemed supplier, regardless of where the supplier is located.
Foreign suppliers should issue invoices where special rules should apply.
VAT returns should be submitted on a monthly basis, by the end of the subsequent month.
Tax remittance should be made before the VAT return is filed. Until December 2023, tax remittance can be made only in EGP or USD. Afterwards, new currencies should be available.
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