On 5 September 2026, the Ministry of Finance of Mauritania officially published the Revised Finance Law for the year 2026 (Loi de Finances Rectificative 2026) through Communiqué node/821. This legislative act amends the original 2026 Finance Law, introducing adjustments to tax rates, exemptions, and administrative procedures to align with mid-year fiscal performance and economic conditions. The law was adopted by the National Assembly on 29 July 2026 and promulgated by the President shortly thereafter. The revision addresses revenue shortfalls and incorporates measures to strengthen tax compliance, particularly in the corporate income tax (CIT), value-added tax (VAT), and customs duty regimes. The text is now available on the Ministry’s official portal and enters into force retroactively from 1 January 2026 for certain provisions, while others apply from the date of publication. The revised law reflects the government’s commitment to fiscal consolidation under the IMF-supported program and aims to broaden the tax base while protecting vulnerable households.
Key Takeaways
- Corporate Income Tax Adjustments: The revised law modifies the CIT rate for specific sectors, introducing a new reduced rate of 15% for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) meeting defined criteria such as annual turnover below 50 million MRU and compliance with electronic filing obligations. It also clarifies the treatment of foreign-sourced income for resident companies, limiting the exemption to dividends from subsidiaries where Mauritania holds at least 10% participation, and introduces a patent box regime for income derived from intellectual property developed locally.
- VAT and Customs Reforms: VAT exemptions on essential goods have been expanded to include additional foodstuffs, pharmaceutical inputs, and agricultural equipment. A new VAT withholding mechanism for government contracts requires public entities to withhold 3% of VAT due from suppliers and remit it directly to the tax administration, improving cash flow certainty. Customs duty schedules are updated to reflect the ECOWAS common external tariff adjustments adopted in June 2026, with reduced rates on capital goods and intermediate inputs to support industrialization.
- Enhanced Compliance Measures: The law strengthens penalties for late filing and underreporting, increasing fines from 5% to 10% of the tax due per month of delay, capped at 100%. It mandates electronic invoicing for large taxpayers (annual turnover above 500 million MRU) effective 1 October 2026, with a phased rollout for medium-sized enterprises by January 2027. The tax administration is granted expanded audit powers including access to digital records, cloud-based accounting systems, and the authority to request data from third-party platforms such as banks and telecom operators.
Disclaimer: This article is compiled and summarized by the AI based on publicly available information and is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute any form of formal tax advice, legal opinion, or basis for performance. Please consult a qualified professional tax advisor or legal counsel for tax advice.
Source: Read Official Announcement