The Egyptian Tax Authority (ETA) has signed a cooperation protocol with the Alexandria Businessmen’s Association, in line with directives from the Minister of Finance to enhance engagement with the business community across Egypt’s governorates, simplify tax procedures, and reinforce public–private partnership.
Rasha Abdel Aal, Head of the Egyptian Tax Authority, said the meeting with the association featured a constructive dialogue on strengthening collaboration between the authority and the business sector in the governorate. She stressed that the ETA acknowledges the challenges faced by taxpayers and entrepreneurs, describing them as genuine partners in the reform process. Both sides, she said, share a common goal: building a fair, stable tax system that supports business growth by reducing administrative burdens and allowing taxpayers to focus on expansion and innovation.
Abdel Aal revealed that the Ministry of Finance and the ETA are preparing a second package of tax facilitation measures, expected to be opened for public consultation by the end of this month or early next month, before its official rollout at the start of the coming year. The draft package has already been submitted to the Prime Minister by the Minister of Finance.
According to Abdel Aal, the second package will introduce major simplifications to the tax refund process and taxpayer services, continuing the reform trajectory that began with the first package. She noted that the first package delivered strong results, contributing to a 35% increase in voluntary compliance and enabling the authority to meet its revenue targets without raising tax rates — clear evidence of the success of Egypt’s incentive-based approach and the ongoing integration of the informal economy into the formal tax system.
She added that feedback collected during the first public consultation had been carefully reviewed in drafting the new measures, ensuring that the second package addresses sector-specific challenges and taxpayer concerns. The forthcoming legislative amendments, she explained, aim to resolve structural obstacles within the existing framework while maintaining the principles of simplification, trust, and cooperation that guided the first package.
Abdel Aal also underlined that digital transformation remains a cornerstone of ongoing tax reform. She pointed to major projects such as the electronic invoice and e-receipt systems, which have enhanced transparency and improved the accuracy of taxpayer data. The ETA, she said, seeks to transition from traditional audit methods to data-driven analytical systems that promote fairness and stability in tax administration.
Mohamed Hano, Chairperson of the Alexandria Businessmen’s Association, praised the authority’s proactive efforts to facilitate taxpayer compliance and simplify procedures. He acknowledged, however, that the business community continues to face challenges with legacy tax files requiring equitable settlement, noting that many of these issues could be resolved through executive decisions by the authority’s leadership to ease burdens on taxpayers.
Hano reaffirmed the association’s readiness to cooperate fully with the ETA by presenting practical proposals that support tax reform and strengthen mutual trust.
Samir El-Delgawy, Chairperson of the Association’s Tax Committee, emphasised the importance of integrating the informal economy into the formal system to broaden the tax base and promote fairness among taxpayers. He added that expanding electronic payment systems plays a key role in improving tax collection efficiency.
El-Delgawy also praised the positive impact of the electronic invoice and e-receipt systems in achieving greater transparency and comprehensive tax coverage. Through the new protocol, he confirmed, the association will provide recommendations to address tax-related challenges and support businesses in transitioning to the digital system — reinforcing the government’s drive toward digital transformation and an improved investment climate.
