Taxation in Iran
Direct and indirect tax in Iran

Taxation in Iran is levied and collected by the Iranian National Tax Administration under the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs of the Government of Iran. In 2008, about 55% of the government's budget came from oil and natural gas revenues, the rest from taxes and fees. An estimated 50% of Iran's GDP was exempt from taxes in FY 2004. There are virtually millions of people who do not pay taxes in Iran and hence operate outside the formal economy. The fiscal year begins on March 21 and ends on March 20 of the next year.
As part of the Iranian Economic Reform Plan, the government proposed income tax increases on traders in gold, steel, fabrics and other sectors, prompting work stoppages by merchants.
Government's budget
The government can increase its tax revenues 2.5 times by enacting tax reforms. As at 2012, taxes account for 43% of the government's revenues and 7% of Iran's GDP. The Expediency Council's report recommended increasing that share to 15% of the GDP. As of 2014, the share of direct taxes from the total tax revenues was around 70%. Top ten percent earners in Iranian society pay 3% of all income taxes, while in the United States the top 10% pay more than 70% of the total income taxes. Contradicting this, the head of the Majlis Economic Commission says that 85% of Iran's tax revenues “come from barely 3% of taxpayers”.
Begin with the source’s own compact description: “Taxation in Iran” is direct and indirect tax in Iran. The dossier treats that line as a proposition to test through Taxation, Iran and Direct, not as a finished interpretation.
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