Al-Qabas reported that the Central Agency for Public Tenders, finalized bid openings last week for the supply, installation, and operation of the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS) and electronic services.
Sources informed Al-Qabas that 4 companies have qualified for the bid, who are as follows:
- Kuwait Digital Computers Company.
- Bishara Group for General Trading and Contracting.
- Middle East Integrated Solutions.
- Al-Madar Communications.
Sources stated that the Board of Directors of the Central Agency for Public Tenders, has decided to forward the technical tender documents to the relevant authority for review and to provide recommendations within 30 days of the tender opening.
Furthermore, Sources anticipate that the Ministry of Finance will evaluate the technical capabilities and pricing of the companies to select the most suitable candidate for the installation and operation of the Integrated Tax Management System.
The sources confirmed that the final step after the Ministry of Finance selects the preferred company is to obtain approval from the Audit Bureau, after which contracts will be signed with the winning company.
Global Standards
In related news, responsible sources revealed that the new ITAS tax system will adhere to the best international practices and standards for identifying and collecting taxes from individuals and companies with high incomes.
The system will be inclusive, encompassing all categories and will be designed to be accessible to individuals with motor and visual disabilities, ensuring equality with other users in line with government recommendations regarding the rights of people with special needs.
The sources stated that the duration for completing the practice is up to 3 years, with an additional year allocated as a supervisory period for implementing the practice requirements and addressing any issues that may arise from operating the new tax programs.
Blacklists
Moreover, sources confirmed to Al-Qabas that the new tax system being implemented will meet the requirements for any form of tax on individuals and companies, and will be adaptable to accommodate future laws. It will also include blacklists of taxpayers in arrears to ensure compliance with tax obligations.
The new system will implement and monitor laws such as the income tax decree, support for national labor, Zakat, and companies’ contribution to the State budget, along with the requirements of agreements to avoid double taxation.
The current tax revenues in the country are diverse, encompassing foreign companies, listed companies on the stock exchange, and a large number of Kuwaiti and Gulf public and closed shareholding companies.
Indicators for measuring the achievement of project objectives
The following are the most prominent indicators for measuring the achievement of the objectives of the Integrated Tax Management System and Electronic Services Project:
- The percentage of implementation of the organizational structure.
- The percentage of implementation of new procedures.
- The percentage of implementation of the temporary and new automated system.
- Tax liability ratio.
- Level of human capacity development.
- Level of implementation of awareness and communication programmes.
Most Prominent Services
The Integrated Tax Management and Electronic Services System will provide a set of targeted services, most notably:
- Improving and developing the automated tax system.
- Developing and improving the performance of tax employees.
- Developing services for taxpayers.
- Re-engineering of business processes.
- Restructuring of tax administration.
