Tag Archives: Tax

Mongolian Government Introduces Positive Amendments to 2017 Budget



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Mongolia Minister of Finance B. Choijilsuren presented to the Speaker of Parliament M. Enkhbold a set of planned amendments to the 2017 state budget. These amendments have been designed to better ensure the government’s ability to meet its obligations under the International Monetary Fund’s extended fund facility program from which the government will receive substantial loans.

The amendments are intended to stabilize the national budget and the fiscal outlook financial environment, by reductions in budget deficits, and imposing discipline.

The primary changes in the new budget include:

  1. Increasing taxes on alcoholic beverages and imposing tariffs on imported cigarettes;
  2. Increasing taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel;
  3. Increasing taxes on imported vehicles, in accordance with engine capacity;
  4. Dividing personal income taxes into three brackets and increasing personal income tax for people with higher incomes;
  5. Charging a ten percent tax on interest earned from savings accounts;
  6. Raising social insurance fees;

Of these, the biggest and the one that caught the attention of our China lawyers is the changes proposed for the personal income tax. The exact income levels which will be cut off points between the three tax tiers is not yet known, however it is likely that many expatriate employees in Mongolia may be affected by higher taxes on their income.

In addition to the above, the amended budget will impose several new measures intended to reduce the government’s overall operational sending levels and bring expenditures in line with government revenues.

  1. Increase the efficiency of tenders being carried out in the medical sector;
  2. Raise the retirement age every two years;
  3. Promote the Meat and Milk Campaign to develop Mongolian meat and dairy industry;
  4. Provide the state’s monthly welfare allowance of 20,000 MNT for children and other state assistance only to targeted groups;
  5. Repeal existing laws that put pressure on the state budget.

The government will aim to limit deficit spending to 10.6% of overall GDP, with revenue expected to be 23.1 percent of GDP, and overall spending to be 33.7% of GDP.

Of the above measures, LehmanLaw Mongolia is pleased to see efforts to promote the Mongolia meat and dairy industry included. Mongolia’s large expanse of green pasture land, clean water and fresh air should provide excellent opportunities for entrepreneurs and foreign investors seeking to establish meat and dairy production operations in the country. Exports of such products to China should find a willing market, as Chinese meat and dairy consumption is expected to continue rising trends.

The other good news is the general commitment to eliminate old laws that cause unnecessary financial strain on the government. This review process is necessary and is expected to help the government identify new areas where spending can be reduced by smart changes to the law. This is the kind of reform needed to stabilize the Mongolian economy and prepare for long term growth.

What is the Mongolia Capital City Tax?



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As we have discussed in the past, the Law on Capital City Tax was approved by the Parliament and new law has come into valid since October 1, 2015. Regulations dealing with procedures to register a tax payer, removal from registration and receipt of information was also approved in order to implement the law.

According to the law, the Capital City Tax is imposed on entities providing four special services including bars, restaurants, hotels and resorts. Other type of entities are exempt from the Capital City Tax.

However, retailers of all types of alcoholic beverages (including vodka, wine, whiskey, cognac, champagne, beer and airag /horse milk/ etc) and cigarettes (cigar, pipe and tobacco), which are operating on the premises of the Capital City are also considered tax withholders under the law.

The tax rate can be determined around 0-1.0 percent by the Citizens Representative Khural of Capital City based on the location and concentration of the population of particular area in Ulaanbaatar. Thus, the Resolution No 29/19 of Citizens Representative Khural of Capital City, September 29, 2015, set the Capital City Tax at 1 percent for above mentioned services and products in Capital City.

As for improving the Capital City Tax and taxation system, the Mayor of Ulaanbaatar, S. Batbold, and Head of the General Taxation Department L. Zorig signed recently a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in 2017.

Under this document The General Taxation Department will collaborate with the Mayor’s Office to monitor the implementation of tax laws and regulations, and continue the implementation of the law on Capital City Tax and the VAT.

NOW is the Time to Start-Up in Mongolia!



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As we posted previously, the general corporate income tax rate for an economic entity incorporated in Mongolia is ten percent (10%) for the first 0-3.0 billion; and a 300 million MNT base tax, plus twenty-five percent (25%) tax on all income exceeding 3.0 billion MNT.

However, Parliament recently approved amendments to the Law on Corporate Income Tax. The amendment aimed at supporting “small and medium-sized enterprises” (SMEs) in particular sections by offering a 90% tax reduction for a period of several years.

The 90% tax reduction will be available to SMEs with less than 1.5 billion MNT in sales operating in the following four sectors:

  • the food production industry;
  • the clothing and textiles industry;
  • the production of construction materials; and
  • the agricultural and livestock industries and its supplementary operations.

The SMEs will be eligible to pay a 1% tax on business conducted from January 1, 2017 to January 1, 2021 (That’s 4 years at a 1% corporate income tax rate!). The government believes that this will reduce the tax burden for SMEs, create a favorable environment for increasing employment, result in increased investment, encourage entrepreneurship, and increase the number of SMEs.

Now is the time to start your new operation in Mongolia!

Keep up to Date on The Mongolia VAT



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As we posted previously, the newly adopted Mongolia Value-Added Tax  (VAT) law has come into effect since January 1, 2016.

According to the VAT law, “Any citizen and legal person, who is engaged in the import and export of goods as well as the sale and manufacturing of any goods, performance of work and rendering of services in the territory of Mongolia, shall be value-added taxpayers.” VAT shall be applicable for the following goods, works and services where operational income value reaches 50 or more million tugrugs:

  • all types of goods, works and services sold within the territory of Mongolia;
  • all types of goods, works and services imported from abroad to Mongolia; and
  • all types of goods, works and services exported from Mongolia;

Furthermore, the VAT shall apply to the representative office of a foreign legal entity whose revenue of sold goods, performed works and rendered services in the territory of Mongolia, has reached 50 million tugrugs or more.

In almost all cases, the value-added tax shall be imposed at the rate of 10 percent of the taxable amount of imported, manufactured or sold goods, performed works and rendered services.  However, some certain types of goods, work and services can be subject to zero (“0”) percent VAT. The payment of VAT must be within the first ten days of the following month.

The newly adopted law also creates an incentive system with the possibility of recovering up to 20 percent of paid taxes if certain conditions are met. Initial such tax returns are expected to refund in the first quarter of this year.

A conference with our Mongolian Tax Law specialists can help you determine whether your company may be able to take advantage of the 0% VAT, or the VAT recovery.

Crash Course on Mongolia Corporate Income Tax



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Mongolia resident economic entities are taxable on aggregate annual income earned worldwide. Non-resident economic entities carrying out business activities in Mongolia are taxable on the income earned within the territory of Mongolia and otherwise from Mongolian sources.

According to the Law on Corporate Income Tax enacted in 2006, taxable corporate income includes income from activities, properties and sale of property.

The general tax rate for an economic entity incorporated in Mongolia is ten percent (10%) for the first 0-3.0 billion MNT and 300 million MNT, plus twenty-five percent (25%) for all income exceeding 3.0 billion MNT.

Dividend income, royalty income and interest income are taxed at ten percent (10%), income from the sale of a right at thirty percent (30%) and income from the sale of immovable property at two percent (2%).

A representative office of a foreign economic entity that transfers its own profit overseas is taxed at twenty percent (20%).  Similarly, the following income of a taxpayer who does not reside in Mongolia but generates income in Mongolia shall be taxed at twenty percent (20%):

  1. dividend income received from an economic entity that is registered and operates in Mongolia;
  2. loan interest and payment for issuing a guarantee;
  3. royalty income and interest on a finance lease, payment for administrative expenses, rent, management expenses and lease, and income from the lease of tangible and intangible assets; and
  4. income from goods sold, work performed and services provided in the territory of Mongolia.

Payment of corporate income tax is on a quarterly basis with the payment for the first three quarters to be paid between the 1st and the 20th of the first month for the following quarter, and for the fourth quarter between January 1st and February 10th of the following year.

LehmanLaw Mongolia employs Mongolian Tax Attorneys and Accountants and can take care of all your Mongolia taxation needs!

Mongolia Individual Income Tax



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According to the Personal Income Tax Law, a taxpayer is defined as “A citizen of Mongolia, foreign citizens and stateless persons residing in Mongolia who are responsible for payment of tax in accordance with law for their earned taxable income for the tax year or even when no income is earned.”

Taxpayers are further classified as “resident” and “non-resident” taxpayers.

A foreign individual is considered as Mongolian tax resident if he or she resides in Mongolia for 183 or more days in a tax year or owns a residence in Mongolia. Above days are calculated based on the number of days of a calendar year from the day of entry into Mongolia and in case of multiple entries, it will be determined based on the total days of stays in Mongolia.

A foreign individual is considered as a non-resident taxpayer in Mongolia if he or she has no residence in Mongolia and has not stayed in Mongolia for 183 or more days in a tax year.

Income is determined to be taxable “on income earned by the permanent resident taxpayer of Mongolia for the relevant tax year in the territory of Mongolia and abroad” and “on income earned by the non-resident taxpayer for the relevant tax year in the territory of Mongolia.” This includes, but is not limited to, salaries, wages, bonuses, income from activities, income from proprietorship, income from the sale of property and indirect income.  In general, the tax rate on salaries, wages, bonuses and income from activities is a flat rate of ten percent (10%).

If a taxpayer did not pay taxes on time, tax administration will impose penalty per each late payment day on outstanding balance of taxes payable. Penalty for late submission of tax return is imposed on individuals. Responsible person who has failed to file tax returns on time as specified in tax legislation to the tax administration would be fined 3-4 times the minimum labour wage. Please note that current minimum labor wage in Mongolia has been increased to MNT 240,000 since the beginning of 2017.

2016 Update to VAT



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The new Value-Added Tax Law came into effect on 1 January 2016.

The new VAT law revised key terminology and broadened the types of activities which are subject to VAT. The VAT Law increased the threshold for the requirement to register as a VAT payer from 10 million MNT to 50 million MNT in an effort to support small and medium sized enterprises. Voluntary registration as a VAT payer remains possible if the income of the entity reaches 10 million MNT.

The Law also introduces a system of incentivizing taxpayers with the possibility of recovering up to 20 percent of taxes paid if certain conditions are met. It further attempts to improve the system and procedure for collating, processing and reporting data relating to the payment of VAT by creating a consolidated registration system.

The VAT rate of 10 percent remains the same, however, there have been some changes in the types of goods, work and services that are exempted from value-added tax and those that are subject to zero (“0”) percent VAT.

Customs Duty On Import Goods Increased



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Under the Law on Customs Tariff and Duty, enacted on 20 May, 2008, Customs tariff on imported goods shall be classified into one if the following three types:

  • Ordinary
  • Most Favored
  • Discounted Tariff

The rate of ordinary tariff will be twofold the most favorable tariff. Discounted Tariffs will be established by treaty. Most Favored tariffs on imported goods will be approved directly by the Parliament of Mongolia.

On 28 March, 2016, the Cabinet issued a decree to raise the customs duties on imported goods between for 100 types of products as part of the efforts to promote domestic manufacturing. The list of affected products includes a range of goods including selected dairy products, vegetables, construction materials, some types of furniture, and raw materials of animal origin. It is claimed that all these types of goods are produced domestically and that such domestically produced goods have the potential to meet local demand. The enforcement of this decree is effective from May 1, 2016.

The Basics of the Capital City Tax



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Parliament approved the Law on Capital City Tax on 19 June 2015 and the law entered into effect on October 1, 2015.  The Law on Capital City Tax encompasses and includes the General Taxation Law, Budget Law and the Law on the Legal Status of the Capital City and other laws and legal acts enacted in conformity with them.

The law imposes a capital city tax for the first time In Mongolia.  The capital city tax is imposed on the sale of alcohol and cigarettes, the supplies of hotel and resort services, and services offered in restaurants and bars.

The tax rate (up to 1%) will be determined, region by region, by the Citizens Representative Khural of the Capital City (or by the local parliament) depending on the location and population size of a particular area within Ulaanbaatar city.