Manama: The National Bureau for Revenue (NBR) conducted 330 inspection visits during the first quarter of 2026, as part of its continuous commitment to ensure business compliance with VAT and Excise. These visits also aim to maintain market monitoring, ensure high levels of protection for consumer rights, and combat VAT and Excise evasion.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the NBR confirmed that effective market oversight resulted in reporting 86 VAT violations, in which administrative fines were imposed in accordance with the law. The most frequently reported violation was the failure to comply with the conditions for issuing VAT invoices, in addition to other violations such as failure to show prices inclusive of VAT, and failure to display a VAT certificate in a visible location.
The NBR's intensified oversight efforts also led to the identification of suspicious cases of VAT and Excise evasion, in which legal actions have been taken against violators, and reported those who are proven to have committed evasion crimes which may be punishable by imprisonment for five years and a fine equivalent to three times the amount of VAT due or by imprisonment for one year and a fine equivalent to double the evaded excise.
The NBR highlighted the importance of adhering to all regulations and legislation to ensure the effective implementation of VAT and Excise. The NBR also urges all concerned parties to report any violations by contacting the NBR call center at 80008001 available 24 hours, 7 days a week, or through the National Suggestions and Complaints System (Tawasul). Additionally, more information is available on the NBR's website, www.nbr.gov.bh.