Editor Note: This overview of the Tunisian tax system is based on the law as of June 1996.
INCOME TAX ON CORPORATIONS
1. Rates
The normal corporate income tax rate is 35%. A reduced rate of 10% applies to specific activities.
2. Local Income Taxes
None.
3. Capital Gains Taxes
Tax is levied at the basic rate of 35% on capital gains, which are considered as ordinary income.
4. Branch Profits Taxes
A Tunisian branch of a foreign company is taxed as though it were a resident company.
5. Foreign Tax Reliefs
Income either earned in non-Tunisian establishments of Tunisian
companies or derived from a complete cycle of operations carried out outside Tunisia is not subject to Tunisian corporate tax.
A Tunisian company may deduct from its taxable income dividends received from companies, either Tunisian or foreign, that are subject to corporate income tax.
6. Classification of Corporations
Unlimited Liability Company (ULC) (Soci?en nom collectif, soci?
civile, soci?en commandite simple for unlimited partners). Taxable income is determined at the company level. Income tax is assessed on each partner according to his or her share in the company profits.
Limited Liability Company (Soci?anonyme, soci??responsabilit?limit, soci?en commandite par actions, soci?en commandite simple for limited partners). These companies are liable to corporate tax.
Undisclosed Partnerships (Soci?de fait, soci?en participation). These companies are taxed as ULCs.
7. Payment of Taxes
Corporate tax is payable in three installments (as of the second year of activity) equal to 30% of the tax due on profits from the previous year. The payments are made during the first 25 days of the sixth, ninth, and twelfth months of the company financial year, with a final payment due by the twenty-fifth day of the third month following the end of the company financial year.
INCOME TAXES ON INDIVIDUALS
9. Rates
Individuals resident in Tunisia for tax purposes are subject to tax on their worldwide income. The rates of tax are as follows:
Taxable Income
Tax on Percentage
Over Not Over Lower Amount on Excess
TND 1,500 TND 5,000 TND 0 15%
5,000 10,000 750 20
10,000 20,000 1,750 25
20,000 50,000 4,250 30
50,000 13,250 35
11. Capital Gains Taxes
Special rates of taxation of 15% and 25% are levied on gains on shares or real property, which are not subject to the above progressive scale.
INCOME TAXES ON NONRESIDENTS
15. Liability to Tax
Nonresidents are subject to Tunisian personal income tax computed on their total Tunisian-source income.
16. Rates
Nonresidents are subject to personal income tax at the rates described for residents. However, income from real property, certain interest income, fees, royalties, and income from noncommercial activities are subject to a final 15% withholding tax.
17. Withholding Tax Rates
Royalties. Under Tunisian domestic tax law, the following payments are subject to a 15% withholding tax. Tax treaties may provide for a nil or reduced rate of withholding.
q Copyright royalties;
q Payments for the use or right to use patents, trademarks, designs, models, and manufacturing formulas or processes, including cinema and television films;
q Payments for the use or right to use industrial, commercial, agricultural, harbor, or scientific equipment with the exception of payments made for loading ships or aircraft used in international traffic;
q Income from movable capital (e.g., funds deposited, given in guarantee, lent in Tunisia);
q Payments for information relating to industrial, commercial, or scientific experience;
q&nbs
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