Taxes on cigarettes, alcohol, jade and other items to rise after bill passed

02/25/2017 - 21:43


The Union Assembly on Friday passed the 2017 Taxation Bill, which will increase taxes levied on cigarettes, alcohol and wine.

Dr Myat Nyana Soe, secretary of parliament’s joint bill committee, said: “The bill seems less effective in the changes made. However, the bill increases taxes by up to 10 or 20 per cent generally.

“We are going to increase taxes on such goods [cigarettes and alcohol] every year, although taxes should not be increased. But such goods are harmful to people’s health.”

The bill also prescribes the collection of a 15-per-cent tax on jade, a 10-per-cent tax on gems such as rubies, sapphires, diamonds and emeralds, 5-per-cent levy on decorated jewellery, energy and oil, plus wood and logs.

There will also be an 8-per-cent tax on natural gas.

The Union Assembly also approved to a 1-per-cent tax on gold purchases.
Credit: Eleven Myanmar