What is GAZT?

What is GAZT?

What you need to know about the General Authority of Zakat and Tax

What does the GAZT stand for?

The GAZT stands for the General Authority of Zakat and Tax. It is under the national government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

What are some interesting facts about the GAZT?

The GAZT or the General Authority of Zakat and Tax are a government agency or organization of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

It is mainly responsible for the collection and even assessment of the citizens' and companies’ Zakat and taxes. The taxes included here are the income tax, the excise tax, the VAT or the value added tax, and the special taxes, when applicable.

The GAZT was said to have been established on June 14, during the year 1951 AD. It was then created as an organization or agency under the Ministry of Finance.

The GAZT is currently headquartered in Riyadh, which is the capital of Saudi Arabia. It  consists of the Taxpayer Department.

As of now, there are 19 branches of the GAZT. These branches are interspersed in major cities around the country.

When was the GAZT established?

GAZT was first established as the Zakat and Income Bureau. It went public last 1355 AH. It then underwent some revisions and remodeling. After the Zakat and Income Bureau, it changed its name to the Zakat and Income Authority last 1370 AH. It remodeled its structure again and, finally, changed its name to the current one, which is the General Authority of Zakat and Tax or the GAZT. This was changed through the Royal Decree A 133, Section 11 last July 30, 1437 AH. In the decree, it was stated that the Minister of Finance will head the GAZT.

What is the GAZT for?

The purpose of the GAZT would have been stipulated in a Royal Decree. It has been stated that the GAZT would be responsible for gathering the people and companies’ taxes and Zakat. The GAZT should also make sure that its members would perform their best when they do their assigned responsibilities. The GAZT should also not impede or obstruct other agencies that are doing their responsibilities as well, but the GAZT members should still make sure to exert their best effort in doing their roles. The members should also be legally responsible for their actions.

What is the mission of the GAZT?

The mission of the GAZT is to enable the economic sustainability and prosperity of the KSA’s society for the sake of the Saudi citizens by developing Zakat and tax systems that provide outstanding service.

What is the vision of the GAZT?

The vision of the GAZT is to establish a model of excellence on the global level in managing Zakat and taxes adequately and transparently, and to keep the client at the center of its focus.

What are the citizens’ financial duties?

It has been outlined that the financial duties of the citizens include: the income tax, the excise tax, the value added tax or VAT, and the Zakat.

What are the duties of the GAZT?

The duties of the GAZT include:

The collection of different taxes and Zakat from the citizens. These taxes and Zakat to be collected should be based on the existing laws, rules, and regulations.

The responsibility of trying to raise the citizens’ awareness about the different taxes and Zakat. This would, in turn, increase the citizens’ voluntary commitment to paying their dues to the government. However, the GAZT should also still be working under legal terms while doing the awareness campaigns.

Reliable services and assistance given to the citizens to increase the probability of their compliance to the law.

Helping the citizens in their fulfillment of the law and their obligations in paying their taxes and Zakat.

The formation of a high degree of teamwork and cooperation with other international, national, and regional agencies, organisations, and specialized teams within or outside the KSA. However, this should be done within the limits of the law and the mandate of the GAZT.

Following up the dues of the citizens and making sure that obligatory actions are made to collect the taxes and Zakat.

The representation of the KSA in regional, national, and international forums, agencies, and organizations (among others) whenever applicable to the mandate of the GAZT.

He says that the GAZT wants to support the citizens in accomplishing their tax dues like income tax, excise tax, value added tax or VAT, and Zakat. They also want to give businesses all the resources and tools they need. In line with this, the GAZT will aim to increase the awareness of the tax system and the citizens’ obligations.

He says that the GAZT will constantly evolve through technology and communication lines. Using these tools, the organization’s processes will be enhanced. With the latest innovative operations, delivery and service will continually develop.

He states that an important role in the fiscal balance program of the KSA is fulfilled by the GAZT. The GAZT diversifies and increases the income for the budget of KSA. The GAZT can also provide job opportunities to the citizens, especially jobs that pertain to taxation, finances, and accounting.

DISCLAIMER

This article is written in general terms and therefore cannot be relied on to cover specific situations; application of the principles set out will depend upon the particular circumstances involved and we recommend that you obtain professional advice before acting or refraining from acting on any of its contents.