Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani has taken decisive action to address long-standing issues in Iraq’s tax sector. During a high-level visit on Monday, he focused on reforming operations within the General Commission for Taxes. Tax reform in Iraq was his central message throughout the inspection.
Al-Sudani toured the Tax Commission’s headquarters in Baghdad. He met with staff, citizens, and representatives from private companies. Legal advisors and tax personnel raised multiple concerns about infrastructure and oversight. He listened carefully and responded with specific, targeted directives.
The Prime Minister criticized the Ministry of Finance for its limited support. He highlighted the absence of funding for essential processes, including taxpayer notifications. This lack of support continues to delay important revenue collection efforts. He also emphasized the urgent need for automation and digital systems in the tax sector.
Routine bureaucracy remains a major hurdle. Al-Sudani pointed to the outdated coordination between the Tax Commission and the Ministry of Finance. According to him, these internal obstacles slow down every attempt at meaningful change. Tax reform in Iraq cannot succeed without cutting through these inefficiencies, he stressed.
He also expressed disappointment in the slow implementation of previously approved reforms. These plans, developed by the Higher Committee for Tax Reform, have seen little progress. Red tape, both internal and external, continues to stall their execution.
To address these problems, the Prime Minister announced several new measures. He directed the Higher Committee to develop standard blueprints for model tax offices nationwide. The Ministry of Finance must provide land for these buildings. At the same time, Iraq will invite reputable international firms to propose modern tax system solutions.
Furthermore, Al-Sudani instructed provincial coordination bodies to deploy skilled technical teams. These teams will support local tax branches and ensure consistent service delivery. He also directed the Ministry of Communications to fully integrate network systems across all tax offices.
Lastly, he urged the resolution of issues affecting tax employees. Improving staff conditions will help remove operational bottlenecks. Tax reform in Iraq depends on empowered workers and a functioning digital infrastructure.
