Indirect tax

Indirect tax - Burkina Faso

01 Jan 20223 min read
This tax guide provides an overview of the indirect tax system and rules to be aware of for doing business in Burkina Faso.

Burkina Faso 120x120.pngIndirect tax snapshot

Please click on each section to expand further:

What is the principal indirect tax?

The principal indirect tax is VAT.

Is there a registration limit for the tax?

No, there is no registration limit. However, to be able to invoice VAT, the annual turnover of the company must be over 50.000.000 XOF.

Does the same registration limit apply to non-established businesses?

N/A.

Is there any specific legislation to tax non-resident supplies of electronically supplied/digital services to private consumers resident in your country?

No.

Does a non-established business need to appoint a fiscal representative in order to register?

When a taxpayer is not established in Burkina Faso, he must have a representative domiciled in Burkina Faso accredited with a tax department who undertakes to complete the formalities incumbent on this taxpayer and to pay the tax in his place. Failing this, the tax and, where applicable, the penalties, are required of the recipient of the taxable transaction.

How often do returns have to be submitted?

VAT tax return must be submitted monthly, generally the 15th of each month.

Are penalties imposed for the late submission of returns/ payment of tax?

The late declaration is sanctioned by a penalty of 25% and increased by 1% per month or fraction of a month of late fees due.

Are any other declarations required?

No.

Are penalties imposed in other circumstances?

No.

Can the VAT incurred by overseas businesses be claimed if they are not registered in Burkina Faso?

No.

 

What information must a VAT invoice show?

The invoice must mention clearly:

  • the invoice number of an uninterrupted series;
  • the date on which the invoice was drawn up;
  • the precise purpose of the transaction;
  • the amount of the invoice:
    • for VAT taxable persons: the amount excluding VAT; the rate and amount of the tax due or, where applicable, the statement 'exempt'; the total amount including all taxes due by the customer;
    • for those not subject to VAT: the total amount due by the customer;
  • the precise identification of the party responsible for issuing the invoice: 
    • the surname and given name(s) in the case of a natural person, legal form and legal name in the case of a legal person;
    • Geographic, cadastral, PO box and telephone addresses;
    • the registration number in the Trade and Personal Property Credit Register, the Register of Civil Companies, Professions and Trades or the Register of Craft Trades;
    • bank account(s) references;
    • Unique Financial Identifier Number;
    • the tax system and the tax service on which the person liable for payment depends; 
  • customer identification:
      • the surnames and given names in the case of a natural person, legal form and legal name in the case of a legal person;
      • Geographic addresses, PO Box and phone number;
      • where applicable, the registration number in the Trade and Personal Property Credit Register, the Register of Civil Companies, Professions and Trades or the Register of Craft Trades;
      • Unique Financial Identifier Number for sales to legal persons or merchants.
Are there any current or anticipated Standard Audit File for Tax (SAF-T) or similar electronic/digital filing requirements eg invoice listing data file/real-time VAT reporting?

Yes returns are made online via the eSINTAX portal.

Contact us

For further information on indirect tax in Burkina Faso please contact:

Jean-Louis Dattie
T +225 27 20 30 77 00
E jean-louis.dattie@ci.gt.com

Charles-Alexandre Koffi
T +225 27 20 30 77 00
E charles.koffi@ci.gt.com
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