Manama: The National Bureau for Revenue (NBR) conducted 137 inspection visits across various governates in the Kingdom of Bahrain during April 2025. These inspections are part of NBR's ongoing efforts to enhance business compliance within local markets and ensure adherence to regulations for VAT and Excise implementation. The initiative also aims to monitor markets, protect consumer rights, combat VAT and Excise evasion, and spread awareness on proper implementation methods.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the NBR confirmed that these oversight activities led to the reporting of 12 violations, with administrative fines imposed according to the law. Violations included failure to display VAT certificates visibly, failure to show VAT-inclusive prices, non-compliance with VAT invoice issuance conditions, and failure to issue VAT invoices.
The NBR identified several suspicious VAT evasion activities and is taking legal action against violators. Those proven to have committed evasion crimes face possible imprisonment for five years and a fine three times the amount of VAT due.
The NBR emphasized the importance of business and consumer cooperation to achieve high compliance standards. It advises all registered businesses to adhere to legislation to prevent violations and ensure successful implementation stages. The NBR encourages reporting any VAT or Excise law violations via its 24/7 call center at 80008001 or through the National Suggestions and Complaints System (Tawasul). More information is available on the NBR's website (www.nbr.gov.bh).