Jaber: Draft Law for Tax Settlement and System Updates

Finance Minister Yassine Jaber concluded his visit to Cairo, where he accepted an invitation to attend the events and activities of the Cairo ICT 2026 exhibition and conference.

Jaber revealed in a direct dialogue session on the sidelines of the exhibition, attended by Egyptian Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk, that work is underway to "prepare a draft law allowing taxpayers to settle their accounts with the Ministry of Finance, taking into account the exceptional circumstances Lebanon has gone through and the resulting accumulation of obligations and arrears." He announced that "the ministry is working on updating customs systems and introducing artificial intelligence applications to help verify declared prices for imported goods and detect violations, in parallel with expanding electronic services to facilitate citizens' transactions and improve administrative performance."

The seminar addressed digital transformation, the development of tax and customs systems, and ways to enhance cooperation and exchange experiences between Lebanon and Egypt.

In this regard, particularly concerning the file of settling tax situations, Jaber stressed "the necessity of considering the conditions faced by citizens and institutions and helping them address accumulated obligations." He clarified that "some issues can be resolved through administrative decisions, while others require the issuance of laws, which is what the ministry is working on in preparing the draft law."

On the front of combating evasion and strengthening oversight, Jaber pointed out the start of updating customs systems after years of delay in developing software programs and equipment. He noted "efforts to cooperate with an international company possessing data on global prices, enabling comparison with declared values for imported goods and leveraging artificial intelligence in verification processes."

He explained that "these technologies, although they do not guarantee complete accuracy in results, help improve oversight and detection of violations." He added that their use in the tax field allows for the aggregation of information contained in declarations and data, and its analysis, thereby enhancing the administration's ability to utilize it.

Jaber linked system updates to improving services provided to citizens, affirming that "digital transformation enables completing transactions and paying dues without the need to appear at the Ministry of Finance, reduces the time and effort required by paper procedures, and alleviates burdens on the administration."

He indicated that "the ministry has begun providing electronic services that need expansion," noting "the allocation of budgets for digital transformation projects at the state level, and the importance of the digital identity project as a foundation for developing electronic services across various ministries and public administrations."

Regarding cooperation with Egypt, Jaber affirmed Lebanon's interest in benefiting from its experience, especially the gradual implementation of electronic systems.

He clarified that "the crises Lebanon witnessed over the past six or seven years delayed the path of digital transformation, despite steps that had begun before the financial crisis," stressing the importance of completing this path with practical and gradual steps.

He called for "building on mutual visits between the two sides and expanding cooperation to include the exchange of technical expertise, training, and benefiting from practical experiences in updating tax administration," emphasizing "the importance of openness and cooperation among Arab countries and mutual benefit from their experiences and capabilities."