Minister of Finance Dr. Youssef Boutros Ghali has announced new measures to cave in on tax evaders.  He has announced a final opportunity among taxpayers who have not submitted their 2005 tax returns, saying they will be subject to a fine only this time while those caught during investigations and auditing will be subject to a jail term.

Dr. Ghali has reiterated that strict directives have been issued to tax officials to adopt a civilized attitude towards taxpayers, explaining that a number of certain taxpayers have been elusive in their returns.  Dr. Ghali has therefore given taxpayers the liberty to review their returns again.  The year 2005 has proved decisive in that tax returns before that year will simply be ignored.

Dr. Ghali has made his comments in a meeting with tax officials in Cairo and Alexandria where 93% of tax returns are collected.

Dr. Ghali has reviewed new measures allow immediate reconciliation during arduous disputes if taxpayers decide to negotiate.

(source: Al-Ahram)