USAID FISCAL REFORM FOR A STRONG TUNISIA PROJECT

The project focuses on three main areas: taxpayer compliance strategy, data exchange among government units involved in revenue generation and collection, and implementation of the CIMF target tax information and payment collection system. Taxpayer compliance strategy is a key component of the project, with the goal of promoting voluntary compliance and reducing tax evasion. The project will work with the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to review and revise tax audit procedures, with a focus on targeted verification and desk audit procedures. The project has proposed the use of the Estonian interoperability platform, the Unified Exchange Platform (UXP), to facilitate data exchange between government units. The project has also proposed the establishment of a new Medium Enterprise Structure (DME) to improve tax administration and compliance. The DME will be implemented in the great Tunis and will draw files from the 6 regional centers (CRCI) for companies with a turnover exceeding 2 million TND. The project has suggested a progressive approach to the implementation of the DME, targeting companies with the highest turnover. In addition to taxpayer compliance strategy, the project also focuses on data exchange and implementation of the CIMF target tax information and payment collection system. The project has proposed the use of the UXP to facilitate data exchange between government units, and has drafted a technical note on the advantages of reforming audit procedures and establishing a desk audit procedure. The project has also made progress in other areas, including the implementation of the DME and the establishment of a commission for the implementation of the DME in Tunisia. The project has suggested a progressive approach to the implementation of the DME, targeting companies with the highest turnover. The project has also worked with the MoF to review and revise tax audit procedures, with a focus on targeted verification and desk audit procedures. The project has proposed the use of the UXP to facilitate data exchange between government units, and has drafted a technical note on the advantages of reforming audit procedures and establishing a desk audit procedure. The project has also made progress in the area of strategic communications, with the launch of a survey on the ease of paying taxes for individuals, medium and small businesses. The survey provides information on the type of tax information that taxpayers have access to, and the main reasons preventing or discouraging taxpayers from paying their taxes in rural and urban areas. Overall, the USAID Fiscal Reform for a Strong Tunisia Project has made significant progress in improving the efficiency, transparency, and cost of compliance of tax administration in Tunisia. The project has focused on key areas such as taxpayer compliance strategy, data exchange, and implementation of the CIMF target tax information and payment collection system, and has proposed innovative solutions such as the use of the UXP and the establishment of a new Medium Enterprise Structure (DME).