TAX DECLARATION IN CAMEROON
The tax declaration in Cameroon is a post-incorporation compliance requirement that is being regulated by the finance law. On the one hand, the declaration procedure in Cameroon can be done manually at the level of small tax units before the 15th of every month. On the other hand, declaring taxes in Cameroon can also be done online, on or before the 15th of every month, via the payment platform FISCALIS for taxpayers of large tax units, medium-sized units, and specialized tax centers.
To secure revenues and harmonize tax procedures In Cameroon, the Minister of Finance, in December 2020, prohibited the payment of taxes and duties in cash to the fiscal network. But, a good number of taxpayers still face difficulties declaring taxes online. This is the reason why some taxpayers still prefer to take stands at tax offices to declare their taxes.
TAX DECLARATION PROCEDURE IN CAMEROON
Declaring taxes in Cameroon requires that the taxpayer or his tax representative submit the following documents at the Tax office for evaluation and monthly tax declaration;
- Taxpayers’ card
- Attestation of non-indebtedness
Upon a satisfactory check of the above-mentioned documents by the tax inspector, an assessment of the monthly declaration shall be done and duly signed by the chief of taxation, and a monthly declaration document issued after confirmation of online payment.
RENEWAL OF TAX DOCUMENTS IN CAMEROON
A taxpayer must understand that the attestation of non-indebtedness which also serves as a business license has a validity period of three months. A lot of taxpayers have misconstrued the 3-month tax exoneration period to mean they are free from paying which is not true. Taxpayers are still expected to declare taxes monthly and, in a case, where they have not started the business, the declaration for that month should state Nil. It is recommended to declare a nil monthly revenue than abandon the mandatory declaration process on the premise that the company has not started operations.
The attestation of non -indebtedness must be renewed every after 3 months to remain valid and useful for bank account creation and signing of contracts. The non-indebtedness attestation is issued automatically if the company is up to date with her tax records without any penalties. We have discussed elaborately in our late published article on corporate compliance in the Cameroon business environment.
PENALTIES FOR NON-DECLARATION
Non-declaring taxes is a violation of the general tax code in Cameroon making it a criminal matter sanctioned by the penal code law in Cameroon. The criminal penalty for non-declaration or compliance ranges from 1 to 5 years imprisonment and a fine of 500 000 to 5 million francs or one of these two penalties for anyone who by intent:
- expressly refuses to file his declaration within the prescribed time-frame
- organizes his insolvency or puts an obstacle to the collection of taxes
- fails to make or ensure the making of entries
- keeps inaccurate or fictitious accounts
- establishes false and misleading inaccurate balance-sheets
- organizes or attempts to organize collective refusal to pay taxes
CONCLUSION
In the event of recurrence, the above penalties shall be doubled and the offender is liable to an additional penalty such as prohibition from the right to exercise any industrial, commercial or liberal profession, directly or by an intermediary as well as administrative and monetary sanctions. Tax declaration is not the only post-incorporation compliance requirement, companies should ensure their business licenses are renewed yearly.
Article by MAFANY victor NGANDO
“The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advise should be sought about your specific circumstance”.