IMF Mission Concludes Tax Talks
An International Monetary Fund mission specializing in tax policy concluded its visit to Syria on 12 August 2026, wrapping up a round of technical talks on the country's tax legislation. The delegation met with the finance ministry's working team and the Tax Reform Committee to review draft laws being prepared to match the requirements of the current stage and the priorities of economic reform.
New Laws Under Review
The mission held a series of meetings that examined the legislative structure of the new tax bills and the mechanisms for applying them, and offered technical observations on the legal texts. Discussions covered income tax, value-added tax, and indirect taxation, with the visiting experts presenting detailed reviews of international best practices in each area.
Tax Authority Board Decisions
Separately, the board of the General Authority for Taxes and Fees, chaired by Finance Minister Mohammad Yosr Barnieh, approved plans to launch a qualitative recruitment campaign to bring fresh expertise and new staff into the tax administration. The board also reviewed the authority's draft 2027 budget alongside its operational and investment needs, and studied a proposal to strengthen inquiry work by building a modern apparatus to combat tax evasion.
Barnieh stressed the importance of amending the tax evasion law and preparing an initial draft of the amendment as quickly as possible, placing stronger enforcement at the center of the overhaul.
Workshop on the New System
The talks followed an interactive workshop held on 10 August 2026 under the title "Prospects of the New Tax System in Syria." The session examined the new tax structure and its role in supporting comprehensive development and accelerating economic recovery, along with ways to draw on sound international experience in building an efficient system.
Reform and Recovery
The engagement forms part of a broader effort to modernize public finances and align Syria's tax framework with the requirements of the current stage. The overhaul pairs new legislation with a stronger drive against evasion, steps the ministry has linked to supporting comprehensive development and speeding the country's economic recovery.