The Syrian Minister of Finance, Mohammad Yasser Bernieh, issued a decision containing the executive instructions for Legislative Decree No. 69 of 2026. This decree aims to support economic sectors that were damaged during the years of war, by providing comprehensive tax exemptions for commercial, service, industrial, and tourism establishments, in order to stimulate production and reconstruction.
Specialized committees for damage assessment
Under the new instructions, specialized committees will be formed within the finance directorates in the governorates to study the requests of those affected between March 15, 2011, and December 8, 2024. The committees will include representatives from the Ministries of Justice, Local Administration, and Economy, the Engineers Syndicate, and accredited valuation experts. Experts are prohibited from having any kinship or financial interest with the owners of the establishments to ensure integrity.
Definition of damage and submission mechanisms
The instructions defined "damage qualifying for relief" as direct total or partial destruction affecting fixed assets, such as buildings, machinery, equipment, and production networks, with the exclusion of merchandise inventory. Those wishing to benefit must submit their applications within 120 days of the instructions' publication, accompanied by the necessary documents such as the commercial register, asset lists, and police reports.
Exemptions for Commercial and Service Establishments
The Ministry of Finance has adopted a schedule for income tax exemption rates starting from 2026. Commercial and service establishments are granted a tax exemption for one year. The rate is set at 50% of net profits for damage between 25% and 50%, 75% for damage between 51% and 75%, and 100% for damage between 76% and 100% of fixed assets.
Special support for industrial and tourism establishments
Industrial and tourism establishments will benefit from longer exemption periods, starting from 2026. For damage ranging between 25% and 50%, the establishment receives a 50% exemption from net profits for two years. However, if the damage is between 51% and 75%, an exemption of 75% of net profits is granted for three years.
Higher exemption rates for the industrial and tourism sectors
If the damage in industrial and tourism establishments exceeds 76% and reaches 100%, the exemption reaches 100% of net profits. The period of this exemption extends for four years, with the aim of providing greater support to these vital sectors which require larger investments for their rehabilitation and operation.
Regulations for Benefiting From and Transfer of Exemption
The instructions confirmed that the exemption is linked to the personally affected taxpayer and is transferable in specific cases such as inheritance (provided the activity continues), merger, or the legal transformation of the establishment. The decision also clarified that taxpayers who previously received full compensation or whose losses were processed for tax purposes do not benefit from the provisions of this decree.
Keywords
- Syrian Economic News
- Latest Syria News
- Syrian Ministry of Finance
- Syria News
- Tax exemptions
- Affected establishments
- Decree 69
