Brief: March 15 is an important date when it comes to taxation in Cameroon

It has been mentioned several times in the General Tax Code of Cameroon. It’s the latest date for businesses to file in their statistics and tax return for the previous fiscal year. Taxpayers are also supposed to declare the previous month’s tax for businesses on this day.

Cameroon Tax Code & March 15

Taxpayers in the discharge tax system who started activities on March 1 will declare their tax the latest March 15. They are supposed to declare at the tax service or council office within 15 days after start of activity.

Let’s take a look at other things that happen before or not later than March 15 apart from the aforementioned:

Livestock Tax

Tax on livestock is paid yearly on or before March 15. All those who own or keep bovine livestock pay their taxes annually on or before the 15^th of March. This tax is calculated on a per head base of livestock owned.

The proceeds of the livestock tax is paid voluntarily by the person liable or the representative at the local council where the cattle are located. This is done after a headcount by the council authorities in collaboration with the livestock services.

The rate as provided by the tax authorities ranges from 200 to 500 francs per head of cattle. Note should be taken that this payment does not exempt the owners from paying discharge tax or where applicable, personal income tax.

The tax is due yearly on January 1^st. Plow animals, animals that belong to the state, those rared and used by charity institutions are exempted from the tax. Failure to pay can lead to seizure and impoundment of the livestock by taxation officials.

Firearms tax

Owners of firearms are obliged to declare their tax annually not later than March 15. They are required to pay this annual tax at the council area where they are located. The Sub-divisional Officer and Mayor are the ones to draw up a list of those who own firearms not later than 15 March every year.

The rates for firearms include:

• Trade gun, rifles, revolver and pistols – 2000fcfa
     
• Smooth barrel sporting shot-gun and gallery rifle – 1500fcfa
  

Arms that are obsolete are not taxed. Owners are obliged to deposit them at the sub-divisional office for destruction and a receipt issued. With the crisis in the NW & SW Regions, the buying and selling of arms have been restricted in certain areas.

Annual Forestry Royalty

Councils that are located where forests are exploited benefit from a 40% share of the annual forestry royalty paid by forest exploiters. This 40% share is divided into 50% to the council where the forest is located and 50% is sent to FEICOM or any other body that takes care of the centralization and equalization of local taxes.

If the area exploited falls within two or more councils, the royalty is shared proportionately. That is, each get a percentage relative to the surface area occupied by the council.

The annual forestry revenue, AFR, is paid in three equal installments. This is done successively on March 15, June 15 and September 15 yearly. The payment is made to the competent taxation services. Those liable for the AFR are supposed to pay their first installments on or before 15 March this year.

Personal Income Tax

Those liable to personal income tax are obliged to file their previous year’s income tax before 15 March. This is done at the Tax Center of the taxpayer’s place of assessment. An official form is placed at the disposal of the taxpayer and an acknowledgment receipt is issued thereafter.

Corporate Income tax

Businesses that fall under the simplified and actual earnings tax regime are obliged to make a single payment of the balance of their declared tax not later than March 15 every year. This means the down payment declared on or before the 15^th of every month is deducted and the balance paid in a single payment.

However, if the sum of the down payment paid is in excess, it shall be deducted in future installments. If the business shuts down, the balance payment shall be refunded.

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Source(s): Cameroon General Tax Code