A National Tax Overhaul
Syria's Ministry of Finance and the General Authority for Taxes and Fees announced on 2 November 2026 the launch of a plan for the comprehensive processing and systematic closure of accumulated tax files. The finance minister, Mohammad Yusr Barnieh, described the measures as a lasting remedy for backlogs that have built up over past years.
He said the decisions required to put the plan into effect were issued the same day.
Clearing the Backlog
The plan sets out to accelerate work on pending files under a fixed timeline and measurable performance indicators, and to close outstanding cases from earlier periods in an orderly sequence. The approach is meant to resolve long-standing files that have accumulated across successive years.
Officials framed the effort as a way to keep unresolved problems from carrying into the next phase of fiscal administration, closing older files through procedures described as transparent.
Standardizing Audits
A central element is the standardization of audit procedures, moving away from unregulated personal estimates that the ministry says have raised the risk of corruption. Assessments are to follow uniform rules rather than individual discretion.
Preparing a New Tax System
The ministry presented the clean-up as groundwork for a new tax framework, saying an updated and orderly file base is needed before fresh legislation takes effect. The stated aim is to help taxpayers settle outstanding obligations and move smoothly to the new system.
Rebuilding Trust
The broader objective, officials said, is to restore institutional confidence among taxpayers, businesses, and investors. A predictable and transparent tax process was presented as part of wider efforts to improve the country's business and investment environment.