The revenue generated through tax and zakat touched SR20 billion in the last eight months of the current year, and is poised to achieve a growth rate of 10 percent by the end of the year.
Revealing this, Deputy General Director of the Department for Support Services Salih Al-Awaji told local media that zakat and tax revenues stood at SR14 billion and SR6 billion respectively at the end of August, 2013.
Meanwhile, the Tax and Income Department has ordered all firms to provide their estimated zakat shares through the department’s e-portal before sending them back to clients after approval through Saudi Postal Department.
The e-portal system of Tax and Income Department now serves 80 percent of its electronically-linked clients. The zakat certificates are being verified by government agencies to calculate zakat ratio and sent back to the firms electronically to pay the prescribed amount, the official said, adding that after payment, printed zakat certificate will be sent to the firms through Saudi Postal Department, he said.
He said the electronic link with the Ministry of Interior and regional governorates will be completed within two weeks to ensure that zakat estimate providers (firms) and data on licenses given to the above firms are available.
The Department of Zakat and Income has urged zakat data providers to complete all official requirements, including address and mobile number. It also reiterated that hand-delivered zakat certificates will not be accepted as of Sept. 8.
The Saudi Postal recently signed a joint cooperation deal with Tax and Income Department whereby the former will deliver approved zakat certificates to the customers.
Tax, zakat revenues reach SR20bn in 8 months
