Tunisia

Social security contributions

The Tunisian social security system is financed by contributions from both employers (16.57%, reduced to 0.5% for wholly industrial exporting companies) and employees (9.18%) based on salaries. Employers collect and pay the social security contributions from each wage-earner.

For individuals carrying out independent activities, they may opt freely for one social regime among the regimes made available by the social authorities.

Capital gains taxes

Capital gains derived from the disposal of immovable properties (lands and buildings) owned in Tunisia, expressly designated by the law, as well as shares in real estate civil partnerships, are subject to PIT according to the following rates:

• 10% in cases where the property was sold after a five-year period, starting from the date of its acquisition.
• 15% in cases where the property was sold before the expiry of a five-year period of detention, starting from the date of acquisition.

The above-stated regime is applicable to both resident and non-resident individuals.

For non-resident individuals, capital gains derived from the disposal of shares held in the capital of Tunisian-resident companies are subject to tax in Tunisia as follows:

• In cases where the shares are listed in the Tunisian Stock Exchange:
  • In cases where the shares were purchased prior to 1 January 2011, then capital gains will not be subject to tax in Tunisia.
  • In cases where the shares were purchased after 1 January 2011 and will be sold before the end of the year following the one during which they were acquired, then capital gains will be subject to tax. Otherwise (i.e. in cases where the shares will be sold after the expiry of the year following the one during which they were acquired), capital gains will not be subject to tax.
• In cases where the shares are not listed in the Tunisian Stock Exchange, capital gains derived from the disposal by non-Tunisian resident persons of non-listed shares are subject to tax in Tunisia.

For resident individuals, capital gains derived from the sale of shares held in the capital of Tunisian-resident companies are considered as securities income and are subject, as such, to income tax at the rate of 10%.

The taxable basis is calculated as the difference between the sale price and the purchase price reduced by TND 10,000.

In case of realisation of several sale operations during one fiscal year and in case some operations result in capital losses whereas some others result in capital gains, the taxable base is to be determined as the balance between the total realised capital gains and the total realised capital losses during the year, reduced by TND 10,000.

For non-resident persons, the due tax will be levied through WHTs due at the rate of 10% on the basis of the realised capital gains with a ceiling of 2.5% of the selling price in case the seller is an individual.

However, in case the seller realises, during the same fiscal year, capital gains and capital losses derived from the disposal of shares, then the seller may opt for the filing of an annual tax return towards the Tunisian tax authorities and the payment of the due tax at the rate of 10%, on the basis of the balance between the realised capital gains and the realised capital losses, minus TND 10,000.

Consumption taxes

Value-added tax (VAT)

VAT is levied under the Tunisian VAT Code and is due on all transactions taking place in Tunisia. The sale of goods is considered as taking place in Tunisia and thus subject to VAT if the goods sold are delivered in Tunisia. The sale of services is considered as taking place in Tunisia and thus subject to VAT if the services sold are exploited or used in Tunisia.

The standard rate of VAT is 19%. Lower rates of 7% and 13% apply to specifically designated operations.

See the Other taxes section in the Corporate summary for more information.

Net wealth/worth taxes

There are no net wealth/worth taxes in Tunisia.

Inheritance, estate, and gift taxes

Inheritance of movable and immovable goods, from ancestors and descendants, are subject to registration fees at the rate of 2.5% calculated on the basis of the inherited goods value.

Inheritance of movable and immovable goods from brothers and sisters are subject to registration fees at the rate of 5% on the basis of the inherited goods value.

Inheritance of movable and immovable goods from uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, and cousins are subject to registration fees at the rate of 25% on the basis of the inherited goods value.

Inheritance of movable and immovable goods from relatives beyond the fourth degree and non-relatives are subject to registration fees at the rate of 35% on the basis of the inherited goods value.

Property taxes

Individuals owning buildings are subject to the payment of a local real estate tax, which is due proportionally to the area of the building.

In addition, individuals are subject to a property tax on the immovable properties in Tunisia, equal to 1.5% of the real estate property amount. This tax is not due mainly on the following:

• Main place of residence.
• Buildings exploited for industrial, economic, or professional activities.
• Agricultural lands located in agricultural areas, on the basis of a certificate delivered by the relevant authorities.
• Buildings that generate revenues under rental form.

Luxury and excise taxes

There are no luxury or excise taxes in Tunisia.