Bahrain Mirror: The prices of tobacco products, soft drinks and energy drinks will double as the Excise Tax on Selected Items Law will come into effect this Saturday, the Finance Ministry said. The new levies include 100% tax on tobacco products and 50% on soft drinks.

The ministry's Assistant Undersecretary for Public Revenues Development Rana Ibrahim Faqihi explained, "Under law 40 of 2017, traders wishing to import or produce harmful goods subjected to the excise tax are required to submit an application in this regard by January 15, 2018. The ministry will finalize the registration pending completion of terms and regulations stipulated in the law." The official also said that "violations of excise tax law or tax evasion would incur administrative fines and criminal penalties".

"Under the law, those who fail to submit tax statements to the Ministry or pay the required fee within the deadline would be fined 5% to 25% of the overall value of the excise tax, in addition to the payment of the fee. Violators who prevent the ministry's employees from performing their duties, refuse to supply them with the required information or break the excise law provisions would be fined a maximum 5000 BD" Faqihi explained. She added "The fine shall be doubled or the authorization granted to the violator shall be suspended or both penalties shall be applied in case the violation is repeated within 3 years after the decision of Finance Ministry".

Arabic Version