1. Value Added Tax (VAT)
Importation of goods for philanthropic purposes or to mitigate the effects of natural or public health calamities, provided that these are recognised by AGT, will continue to be exempt from VAT.
Individuals or companies with a turnover equal to or less than Kz 10,000,000.00 (ten million Kwanzas) remain excluded from VAT scope, now specifically including taxpayers who carry on transformative industry activities.
A point of precision was introduced in the rule regarding application of the VAT Simplified Regime – which only applies to taxpayers with a turnover or volume of importation between Kz 10,000,000.00 (ten million Kwanzas) and Kz. 350.000.000,00 (three hundred and fifty million Kwanzas)
For taxpayers subject to the VAT Simplified Regime the reimbursement of tax credits is now limited to the issuance of tax certificates.
The GSB2023 now subjects all VAT exempt (including those granting a right to deduct VAT borne) transactions by general and simplified regime taxpayers to the payment of Stamp Duty at a rate of 7% on the receipt of payment, with the exception of international passenger air transport services and leasing of property, which follow the general regime.
The special VAT regime to be withheld at a 2.5% rate on receipts through automatic payment terminals is not maintained for year 2023.
Taxpayers changing from the simplified regime to the general regime shall still pay VAT at a 7% rate with respect to receipts relating to invoices issued under the simplified regime.
2. Amendments to the Customs Code
GSB2023 changes the Customs Code with respect to the distribution of the revenue from the auction of delayed or abandoned goods, prioritising the following order: (i) duties and other customs levies unpaid; (ii) 10% of storage costs; (iii) publication costs in a public notice or portal; and (iv) process costs.
Only storage service providers with good tax standing may benefit from the 10% amount.
Whenever the amount corresponding to 10% of the auction value exceeds the amount to be paid for storage costs of the goods auctioned, the percentage shall be reduced to the limit of the amount due.
3. Amendments to the Customs Tariff Schedule
GSB2023 maintains the provisions and requirements for exemption from the clearance procedure and from the payment of customs duties and the fee due for the provision of services of goods dispatched by couriers or express cargo operators, or contained in the personal luggage of travellers.
The exports of foodstuffs, medicines, medical equipment and biosecurity goods will now be exempt from payment of customs duties and taxes when, apart from when performed by a State body, it is destined for diplomatic and consular representations or has in view the support of Angolan communities abroad.
4. Benefits for Authorised Economic Operators
GSB2023, in addition to the benefits for Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) certified as Importers and Exporters (already established in the GSB2022) now provides the following benefits for AEOs certified as Customs Agents and Freight Forwarders:
(i) Reduction in the number of physical and documentary inspections;(ii) Priority treatment if selected for physical and documentary inspections; (iii) Waiver of submission of guarantee in transit processes.
5. Special Gambling Tax (SGT)
GSB2023 foresees that prizes whose value is equal or inferior to Kz: 200.000,00 (two hundred thousand Kwanzas) are exempt from the SGT, except for random combinations for advertising promotions, raffles and contests. The surplus shall be taxed at a rate of 10% in the case of games of chance, or 20% in the case of social games.
GSB2023 now provides that the SGT on Territorial-Based Gambling, shall be settled over two parts: (i) 1.1% for single banks or 2.2% for double banks on the Initial Working Capital; (ii) 25% on the gross revenue of the banks.
GSB2023 also defines the minimum Initial Working Capital depending on whether it is a gaming room table (single - Kz 500.000 (five hundred thousand Kwanzas)- or double (VIP) - Kz 1.000.000 one million Kwanzas) or automatic machines in gaming rooms (single - Kz 150.000 (one hundred and fifty thousand Kwanzas) - or double (VIP) - Kz 500.000 (five hundred thousand Kwanzas).
A tax of 25% is levied on the gross revenue and commissions of the operators, for each one of the tables and gaming sessions, of Unbanked Games (territorial or online).
Finally, the GSB2023 provides that on the gross revenue exclusively resulting from social gaming betting, the SGT rate of 20% on territorially based sports betting and 25% on online sports betting applies.
6. Changes to the Personal Income Tax Code
GSB 2023 reduced the Personal Income Tax rate to 6.5% on the taxpayers of Group C (small businessmen) provided that the turnover of services not subject to withholding in 2022 was equal or inferior to Kz 10.000.000 (ten million Kwanzas).
If taxpayers, regardless of their turnover, have accounts, they shall be subject to the rules for the calculation of the taxable income applicable to taxpayers of the general Industrial Tax regime, with the necessary amendments.
