Addis Ababa Revenue Bureau intensifies regulation on vehicle trade

The Addis Ababa Revenue Bureau has announced stricter enforcement measures on vehicle importers and sellers to curb tax evasion. Ato Mohammed Abdurahman, Deputy Head of the Bureau’s Legal Compliance Sector, stated that new vehicles must be sold strictly at the location where the importer is licensed, and commission agents are prohibited from selling new cars. Dealers of used cars are now mandated to report their inventory to local tax offices within 24 hours. Investigations revealed widespread tax evasion through under-invoicing and storing vehicles in unauthorized warehouses. Consequently, the Bureau has suspended the licenses of non-compliant commission agents and is conducting door-to-door and warehouse inspections to ensure compliance. Authorities emphasized that these enforcement actions are permanent.