WTS Fact Booklet Burkina Faso

NIGERIA
Elites MCI SARL (WTS Burkina Faso) is a Burkinab tax and legal firm
providing tax and legal services to resident and non-resident companies
operating in Burkina Faso.
Services rendered by WTS Burkina Faso include, but are not limited to the
following:
Tax and Legal General Advisory

Tax and Legal Assistance
Tax and Legal Assistance during Tax Audits and Investigations
Tax Structuring
Tax Incentives Management
Undertaking Fiscal Feasibility Studies on Large Projects such as Mining
Companies and Big Plants
Legal and Fiscal Studies
Training
Global Expatriate Services
Tax Health Check
Regarding the experience of the tax experts and tax practitioners working in
the firm, the firm is very specialized in managing disputes with the tax
administration, leading tax health check and tax structuring. The tax solicitors
in our firm also provide tax dispute resolution and litigation.
WTS Burkina Faso is a member of the WTS Alliance which is a global

network of selected consulting firms represented in more than 100 countries
worldwide. Within our service portfolio we are focused on tax, legal and
consulting. In order to avoid any conflict of interest, we deliberately refrain
from conducting annual audits. Our clients include multinational groups,
national and international medium-sized companies, non-profit organizations
and private clients.
Tax Specialists
Marie Herman Zoungrana Meryam Saran Ouedraogo

zmarie.herman@elitesmci.com ouedtour.meryam@elitesmci.com
+226 70 21 48 26 +226 70 17 47 41
Matre Ambrose Farama

maitreambrose.farama@elitesmci.com
+226 25 36 28 49
TAX AND INVESTMENT FACTS 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. INCOME TAXES IN BURKINA FASO .. 5
B. CORPORATE INCOME TAX .. 5
1. Income Liable to Tax 5

2. Taxable Persons ............ 5
3. Residence Rule . 6
4. Allowable Expenses ... 7
5. Capital Allowances ... 9
6. Reserves . 14
7. Carry Over of Losses ... 14
8. Disallowable Expenses ... 14
9. Rate of Tax . 15
10. Minimum Tax . 15
11. Corporate Provisional Income Tax . 15
12. Tax Incentives . 16
13. Withholding Taxes ... 20
C. PERSONAL INCOME TAXES ...... 22
14. Commercial, Industrial and Agricultural Businesses Profit Tax (BIC) .. 22

15. Non-commercial Profit Tax (BNC) . 24
16. Employees Income Tax (IUTS) . 26
17. Rental Income Tax (IRF) .. 29
D. OTHER INCOME TAXES ......... 30
E. CROSS BORDER TRANSACTIONS ....... 32
18. Permanent Establishment ... 32

19. Branch Profit Tax . . 33
3 TAX AND INVESTMENT FACTS

20. Double Tax Treaty (DTT) ... 33
21. Transfer Pricing Regulation 33
F. INVESTMENT GUARANTEES 36
22. General Guarantees ... 36

23. Free Transferability of Capital, Revenue, and Profits ... 37
24. Stability Agreement ... 37
G. OTHER DIRECT TAXES .... 38
H. INDIRECT TAXES ...... 39
I. STAMP DUTIES ........... 42
25. Registration Fees .... 42

26. Tax on Insurances . .. 43
J. OVERALL TAXATION .... 44
K. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS ... 46
27. Furnishing of Tax Returns, Offences and Penalties .. 46

A. INCOME TAXES IN BURKINA FASO
There is no unitary taxation system for income in Burkina Faso. Therefore, each
income regarding its origin is submitted to a specific income tax.
We then have:
- Corporate income tax (IS)

- Commercial, industrial and agricultural businesses profit tax (BIC)
- Non-commercial businesses profit tax (BNC)
- Employees income tax (IUTS)
- Rental income tax (IRF)
- Stocks and securities income tax (IRVM)
- Receivables, deposits and guarantees income tax (IRC)
- Real estate capital gain tax (TPVI)
- Mining permits transactions income tax
B. CORPORATE INCOME TAX
1. Income Liable to Tax
Corporate income tax is levied on the total profit or income earned by

companies, other legal entities (legal persons) and assimilated institutions
operating in Burkina Faso. Therefore, income of a resident or non-resident legal
person is liable to income tax if that person is operating in Burkina Faso.
2. Taxable Persons
Taxable persons to corporate income tax can be classified in three (3)

categories:
(a) Taxable persons in regard of their legal form:
i. Private limited companies and public limited companies;

ii. Private companies, sleeping partnership (limited partnership), joint
ventures and economic interest group1;
iii. Cooperative firms, associations, institutions, and legally assimilated
entities.
1
The partners of these companies can make the choice to be submitted to personal income tax.

(b) Taxable persons in regard of their businesses:
i. Public bodies or institutions, government and its dismemberments

institutions, financially independent, and carrying out industrial or
commercial businesses, or any lucrative businesses.
ii. Funds created by the government or by law and not especially
exempted from this tax;
iii. Real estate entities carrying out commercial, industrial, artisanal and
agricultural businesses.
iv. De facto partnerships.
v. All other legal persons carrying out lucrative businesses and not
submitted to an income tax.
(c) Entities normally submitted to personal income tax and which can choose
to be submitted to CIT:
i. Financial syndicates;
ii. Professional partnerships.
3. Residence Rule
The Corporate Income Tax Act provides that a company or a legal person
operating in Burkina Faso is liable to corporate income tax. The tax is then levied
only under the condition that the legal person is operating in Burkina Faso,
regardless of its residence.
It is admitted that a company resident in Burkina Faso is, of course, considered

as operating in Burkina Faso. No definition of operating in Burkina Faso or
resident company is given by the tax legislation.
However, speaking of legal persons, a definition of their residence can be found

in the common law (the companies act included in the treaty and standard acts
of the Organisation of Business Law Harmonization in Africa, OHADA).
Within articles 23 and 24 of the OHADA companies act, the residence of a

company is the place where it has been registered or where it has its
management and control exercised.
A company is then operating in Burkina Faso if it has its registered office located
in Burkina Faso, or its management and control exercised in Burkina Faso.

4. Allowable Expenses
(a) General terms for expenses deductibility
Generally, to be deductible, expenses must comply with the following

conditions:
i. Being incurred in the interest of the business i.e. the expenditures

must be for the enduring benefit or advantage of the business
ii. Being real (this excludes fictitious charges) and supported by
sufficient documentary evidence
iii. Implicating a decrease in the net assets of the company. This is to
exclude expenditures such as capital expenditures, expenditures
with consideration for the extinguishment of debt or liabilities.
iv. Being booked in the expenses of the fiscal year i.e. the cut off
principle and in respect of the accrual basis.
v. Being paid in respect of a payment method not prohibited by the
law. In principle, the method of payment of a transaction is free.
Cash payment is allowed for amounts less than 100,000 FCFA.
(b) Specific terms for expenses deductibility
i. Remunerations
- Remunerations paid to the managers of private limited

companies holding the majority of the stocks (senior salaried
partner), to the sole proprietor of a private limited company, to
the managing director (sole equity partner) are allowable to
deduction within the condition that these remunerations have
been submitted on their respective names to the income tax on
profit of Industrial, Commercial and Agricultural Businesses
(BIC).
- Employers contributions to the national private sector workers

social security fund (CNSS) incurred for expatriate workers are
allowable to deduction within the limit of 20% of their basic
salary.
- Holidays travelling expenses of expatriate workers are

deductible within the limit of one round trip per year.
ii. Contribution of branches to the functioning of their parent

companies

Management fees or head office fees recharged by a foreign
parent company to its branch established in Burkina Faso is
deductible within the limit of 10% of the taxable profit before taking
into account these fees.
This clearly means that branches are considered as permanent

establishments in Burkina Faso for income tax purpose.
iii. Payments made by residents taxpayers to non-residents
All transactions payable by resident taxpayers to businesses

resident in a country with a privileged or non-cooperative fiscal
regime will be deductible in the calculation of corporate income tax
if the debtors (the resident taxpayers) give the proof that the
transactions are not fictitious and do not appear abnormal or
exaggerated. The taxpayer has to prove the transaction has been
made at arms length.
iv. Insurance premiums
- Health insurance premiums paid to local insurance companies

are deductible within the limit of 5% of the payroll and under the
condition that the insurance contracts cover all the employees
or a category of the employees.
- Insurance premiums paid to West Africa Economic and

Monetary Union countries to provide retirement, death or
disability allowances; under the condition the insurance
contracts cover all the employees or a category of the
employees.
v. Interests
- Interests paid to partners are deductible within the limit of the

legal interest rate in force in Burkina Faso, plus two points.
- When the beneficiary of the interests is neither a partner nor a

credit institution, they are deductible within the limit of the legal
interest rate.
For these above situations, the deductibility of the interests is both

submitted to two conditions:

- The registered capital of the company shall be fully paid up
- The debt generating the interests must not exceed twice the
amount of the registered capital
vi. Hotels and restaurant fees
Restaurants and hotels charges are deductible within the limit of

0.5% of the turnover, VAT and other taxes excluded.
vii. Gifts and donations
Gifts and items designed specifically for advertising are deductible

respectively within the limit of 0.1% and 0.2% of the turnover, VAT
and other taxes excluded.
Donations to sports and cultural associations, or to philanthropic,

educational, scientific and social organizations, with recognized
public utility by the competent authority, are deductible within the
limit of 0.3% of turnover VAT and other taxes excluded.
5. Capital Allowance
Capital allowance can be claimed if the following conditions are met:
(a) The movable and immovable concerned with is registered in the assets
of the company.
(b) The movable or immovable must be registered in the name of the
company, this to exclude amortizations practiced by a tenant on rented
movable and immovable.
(c) The allowance must be recorded in the accounts of the assessable year;
(d) The amount of the capital allowance must be determine with rate or
duration in accordance with the table below or otherwise, within the limits
of those generally accepted in accordance with the habit of each type of
business or trade.
(e) The starting point for the calculation of depreciation consists of the date
of its first use. Depreciation is calculated prorata temporis i.e. in
proportion to the period from the date of first use at the end date of the
fiscal year.
(f) The depreciation must be calculated in accordance with the method
defined by the law. Generally, capital allowance is determine on a
straight line basis, but sometimes, degressive or accelerated
depreciation maybe accepted.

Assets Duration of Depreciation
Use Rate
Constructions
Construction in solid materials 20 years 5%
Commercial, industrial, garages, warehouses, 20 years 5%
workshops
Cabins processing 20 years 5%
Facilities waterfalls, dams 20 - 50 years 2-5%
Water towers 25 - 50 years 2-4%
Pipes 10 - 20 years 5 -10%
Plants 20 years 5%
Residential houses 20 years 5%
Lime kilns, plaster 10 years 10%
Electric ovens 10 years 10%
Removable or temporary buildings 5 years 20%
Machinery and Equipment
Steam boilers 20 years 5%
Cement tanks 20 years 5%
Cardboard and paper machinery 20 years 5%
Hydraulic presses 20 years 5%
Presses, compressors 10 years 10%
Oil tanks 10 years 10%
Heavy transformers high power 10 years 10%
Turbines and steam engines 10 years 10%
Mechanical mixers, mixers 5 years 20%
Excavators 5 years 20%
Thunderbolts, brewery vats, distillation and 10 years 10%
winemaking
Purification equipment, sorting 10 years 10%
Rolling devices, spin 10 years 10%
Lightweight machine tools, lathes, jointers, 5 years 20%
planers, drills

Transmission lines electric power 5 -10 years 10 - 20%
Apparatus for cutting wood 5 years 20%
Equipment factories including machine tools 5 years 20%
Pneumatic hammers 5 years 20 %
Punches 5 years 20%
Fixed plant equipment 3 years 33.33%
Small tools (hand tools) overheads
Software with a value less than 1,000,000 overheads
FCFA
Public Works Equipment and Buildings
Heavy equipment (bulldozers, scrapers, rollers 10 years 10%
etc)
Small machines (tarring truck, sprinkler truck 5 years 20%
etc.)
Transport machineries 5 years 20%
Concrete towed or self-mobile 5 years 20%
Welder: Fixed 10 years 10%
Welder: mobile or intended to be carried 5 years 20%
Transportation Vehicles
Large cranes 10 20 years 5 - 10%
Transport wagons 20 - 40 years 2,5 -5%
Railway routes 20 - 50 years 2 - 5%
Lifting vehicles 5 10 years 10 - 20%
Aircraft and naval units 5 years 20%
Transportation drums (beer and wine) 5 years 20%
Metal transport drums 5years 20%
Containers 5 - 10 years 10 - 20%
Automobile tourism vehicles 3 years 33.33%
Light commercial motor vehicles 3 years 33.33%
Motor vehicles for goods transport 3 years 33.33%

Auto transport materials in common 3 years 33.33%
Tractors 5 years 20%
Carts 4 years 25%
Tractors used by forest 4 years 25%
Equipment, Furniture, Fixtures and Installation
Fixtures, furnishings, equipment 10 years 10%
Office furniture and other 10 years 10%
Furniture (beds, chairs, tables, cabinets etc.) 5 years 20%
Office equipment 5 years 20%
Materials camps (tents, stoves, beds) 2 years 50%
Safes and armoured cabinets 20 years 5%
Computer machine (server) 4 years 25%
Computer Equipment 2 years 50%
Software which price is equal to or greater than 3 years 33.33%

1,000,000 CFA
Other Equipment
Extinguishers 5 years 20%
Telephone systems (standard, etc) 10 years 10%
Fixed health facilities 10 years 10%
Mobile sanitation facilities 5 years 20%
Tarpaulins and flexible protection 3 years 33.33%
Billboards and signs (light or others) 3 years 33.33%
permanently fixed
Lawn mowers 5 years 20%
Mechanical Lawn mowers overheads
Appliances
Central Air Conditioning 10 years 10%
Other conditioners, fixed fans, etc. 5 years 20%

Mobile fans, humidifiers, etc. 2 years 50%
Time clocks and similar 5 - 10 years 10 20%
Refrigerators, coolers and similar 5 years 20%
Washing machines 5 years 20%
Material of Hotels and Catering
Bedding 3 years 33.33%
Ranges 10 years 10%
Silverware 5 years 20 %
Decorative Landscaping 5 years 20%
Carpets, curtains, draperies 4 years 25%
Cooking ranges 5 years 20%
Lingerie overheads
Glassware, tableware, kitchenware overheads
Plastics (Molding)
Compression presses 10 years 10%
Transfer presses 10 years 10%
Heaters or ovens 5 years 20%
Tablet presses 5 years 20%
Injection molding machines 5 years 20%
Machines to gel, Beading 5 years 20%
Forming machines vacuum 5 years 20%
Machines metalized 5 years 20%
Welding and cutting 5 years 20%
Moulds 5 years 20%
Materials Subjected to the Action of Chemicals
Washing machines, diffusers 5 years
Product Recovery Devices 5 years
Laundry appliances 5 years
Cooking Appliances 5 years

Materials fishing and hunting
Materials fishing and hunting 5 - 10 years 33.33%
Other Assets
Animals registered capital (producers parents, 5 years 33.33%
plowing, etc.)
6. Reserves
Reserves are deductible for the income tax calculation if these following
conditions are met:
(a) The reserve is duly recorded in the books of the assessable

(b) The losses or charges theyre supposed to cover are clearly specified
(c) The charges theyre supposed to cover are, regarding the current events
probable. Probability is different from eventuality (mere possibility) and
certainty
(d) The reserves are mentioned in the special statement for reserves to be
attached with the year financial statements
Reserves made by Insurances and banks companies (technical reserves),

banks and mining companies are submitted to additional and specific terms.
7. Carry Over of Losses
A loss incurred in a basis period can be carried forward a period of four years
after the year in which the loss was incurred. This period is extended for firms
under Investment act and mining act.
8. Disallowable Expenses
Are generally disallowed, expenses which do not meet the general terms for
expenses deductibility enumerated above.
Disallowable Expenses are notoriously non-deductible expenses:
(a) Remunerations paid to members of board of directors out the scope of

their employment contract and allowances payable to the members of the
companys board of directors as established by the article 432 of
Organisation for African Business Law Harmonization (OHADA)

(b) Fictitious allowances awarded to managers or senior executive partners
in companies theyre working for
(c) The amounts of fines, forfeitures, penalties and surcharges of any kind
charged to violators of tax, customs, and social security law, violators of
prices regulation, traffic, and consumption, and, in general, the laws and
regulations of the State, are not deductible from the taxable profit
(d) Reserves made for self-insurance
(e) Reserves made for workers holidays fees
(f) Reserves for taxes
(g) Reserves for probable exchanges losses.
9. Rate of the Tax
The rate of the CIT is a single proportional rate of 27.5%. For mining companies,
the rate is reduced of 10 points and for companies submitted to Strategy
developed by the government to attract investors in order to accelerate
economic growth for sustainable Development Act (SCADD Act), the rate is 15%
at operating time.
10. Minimum Tax
Under Excepted the first year of assessment, companies are chargeable to a

minimum tax. This minimum tax to be levied and paid shall be 0.5% of the
turnover of the company for the year. This minimum anyway cannot be less than
1,000,000 FCFA for companies submitted to Real Normal Tax Regime2 or less
than 300,000 FCFA for companies submitted to Real Simplified Tax Regime.
11. Corporate Provisional Income Tax
During the year of assessment of the tax, the companies are submitted to the
2
For tax purpose, IRS is making the difference between taxpayers holding books and
whose businesses real economic performances can be mastered, and taxpayers not holding
books. The first category is imposed under real tax regime (self-assessment regime) and
the second is generally assessed under some criteria determined by the IRS.
The real tax regime is divided in two compartments depending generally on the level of the
turnover and sometimes on the kind of the business carried out. The high category is called
Normal Tax Regime and the other one, Simplified Tax Regime.

payment in advance of their corporate income tax.
This advance is obtained by applying the rate of 75% on the total of the
corporate income tax paid for the previous year.
12. Tax Incentives
(a) Common Tax Law Tax Incentives
Taxpayers taxable to tax on profits (Corporate Income tax and Tax on

profit of natural persons businesses), investing in Burkina Faso all or part
of their taxable income in that State may, under the conditions set out
below, be granted a reduction of income tax.
i. Investments made in the form of:
- Construction, improvement or extension of built buildings;

- Creation or development of industrial, mining, agricultural and
forestry businesses, including mechanization and transportation
equipment, handling and public works, but excluding vehicle,
aircraft and pleasure boats;
- acquisition of building land for the construction enumerated above
provided that the buildings are built entirely in the three years
following the acquisition;
- subscriptions of shares or bonds issued by public real estate
companies established in Burkina Faso for the purpose of social
housing promotion.
ii. The purchase of second use equipment already existing in

Burkina is not eligible for this fiscal regime.
iii. Are also ineligible, the purchases of residential houses furnitures

office machines, and interior fittings.
iv. The amount of the investment cannot be less than ten million
(10,000,000) CFA francs.
v. The investment must be completed within three years from 31st

December of the year in which the program has been presented
hereinafter provided.
vi. The investments must be shown in business plan providing all

necessary information on the nature, extent and cost of planned
investments.
(b) Specific Laws Tax Incentives
To attract investors in Burkina Faso, some specific acts has been voted
by legislators on 1995 and on 2003. These acts aim at the promotion of
productive investments that will contribute to the economic and social
development of the country.
Indeed, on December 1995, the first investment act has been enforced.
The domain of application of this act was large and was covering
production, conservation, transformation of law materials or sub-finished
products into finished products, services delivery.
After seven years of application, it was evident that this general

investment act was not suitable with especially mining businesses.
Therefore, in 2003 a special investment act was voted to cover only
mining businesses.
Recently, to boost in a very short duration the economic growth, another

act has been voted in 2012 named SCADD3. SCADD was applicable only
for businesses created between 2012 and 2015.
The table below summarises and compares the main advantages

established by these three investments Acts.
i. Research or Investment Phase:
TAXES INVESTMENTS MINING ACT SCADD ACT

ACT
Customs Duties 5 + 2.5 = 7.5% 5 + 2.5 = 7.5% 0 + 2.5 = 2.5%
Value Added Tax Exemption on Exemption on Exemption on
(TVA) some some purchases some
purchases purchases
Business License No exemption Exemption Exemption
Tax
3
The SCADD is defined as a Strategy developed by the government to attract investors in
order to accelerate economic growth for sustainable Development.

Mort main No exemption No exemption on Exemption
Property Tax legal basis but
(TBM) exemption on the
practice
Employers and No exemption Exemption Exemption
Apprenticeship
Tax (TPA)
Corporate No exemption No exemption but Exemption
Income Tax (IS) generally no profit
because theres
no sales
Corporate No exemption Exemption Exemption
Income Tax
Advance
Receivables, No exemption No exemption Exemption
Deposits and
Guarantees
Income Tax (IRC)
Stock and No exemption No exemption No exemption
Securities
Income Tax
(IRVM)
ii. Building or Construction Phase
TAXES MINING ACT

Customs Duties 0 + 2.5 = 2.5%
Value Added Tax (TVA) Exemption on some purchases
Business License Tax No exemption
Mort main Property Tax (TBM) No exemption
Employers and Apprenticeship Tax (TPA) No exemption
Corporate Income Tax (IS) No exemption
Corporate Income Tax Advance No exemption
Receivables, Deposits and Guarantees No exemption
Income Tax (IRC)
Stock and Securities Income Tax (IRVM) No exemption
Carry Over of Losses Common regime

iii. Mining or Exploitation Phase
TAXES INVESTMENTS MINING ACT SCADD ACT

ACT
Customs Duties Common rate 5 + 2.5 = 2.5% 5 + 2.5 = 7.5%
Value Added Tax No exemption No exemption but No exemption
(VAT) but possibility of possibility of tax but possibility
tax refund on refund on export of tax refund on
export sales sales export sales
Business License Exemption from Exemption during Exemption
Tax proportional fee the half of the during the first
for 5 to 7 years duration of the 7 years
mining with a
maximum of 7
years
Mort main No exemption Exemption during Exemption
Property Tax the half of the during the first
(TBM) duration of the 7 years
mining with a
maximum of 7
years
Employers and Exemption from Exemption during Exemption
Apprenticeship 5 to 7 years the half of the during the first
Tax (TPA) duration of the 7 years
mining with a
maximum of 7
years
Corporate No exemption Profit is taxed at Exemption
Income Tax (IS) the rate of 17.5% during the first
(common rate 7 years. After
minus 10%) this period the
rate is 15%
while the
common rate is
27.5%
Corporate No exemption No exemption Exemption
Income Tax during the first
Advance 7 years
Receivables, No exemption No exemption
Deposits and
Guarantees
Income Tax (IRC)

Stock and No exemption Taxation at the Exemption
Securities rate of 6.25% during the first
Income Tax (half of the 7 years
(IRVM) common rate)
Carry Over of Extension of One year Common
Losses the duration of extension if the regime
deductibility of deficit is not due
the deficit from to amortisation
2 to 4 years
after the
common period
of 4 years
13. Withholding Taxes
Withholding Tax on Importations and Local Purchases of Goods
TAXABLE EXEMPTIONS RATE AND WHT

TRANSACTIONS ASSESSMENT DEDUCTIBILITY
BASIS
Importation of Goods on transit. - 5% on the all tax As an advance
goods and sales included amount of on their
of goods by - Importations importations made businesses
importers or and local by small income tax, this
traders to natural purchases made businesses tax is coming to
or legal persons by businesses registered as deduction for
submitted to the exempted from shown by the tax businesses
payment of businesses office. income tax
businesses income tax. purpose except
income tax. - 1% for for small
- Importations importations on the businesses.
and sales made all tax included
by some specific amount of made by
companies. non-small
businesses and
- Importations non- registered at
and purchases big enterprises
made by compartment.
businesses
registered at big - 2% for local sales
enterprises on the all tax
compartment by included amount of.
the Tax office.

This last rate is
coming to 1% for
cement, sugar, cola
nut, wheat flour
and 0.2%
hydrocarbons.
Withholding Tax on Local Services Providers

BASIS
Payments made - Services -Common rate 5% As an advance
for local services provided by on the all taxes on their
providers in return enterprises included amount. businesses
of the services registered at the income tax, this
they have big enterprises tax is coming to
-1% for
provided to compartment as deduction for
constructions
resident persons, shown by the tax businesses
works.
i.e. services office. income tax
provided by purpose except
natural or legal -25% for local for small
- Services which
persons resident suppliers not businesses
amounts, all
in Burkina Faso registered at the
taxes includes
to taxpayers tax office (without
are less than
resident in a Tax Identification
50,000FCFA.
Burkina Faso Number: IFU)
Withholding Tax on Foreign Services Providers

BASIS
Payments made - Common rate Suppliers resident Not deductible
for foreign 20% applicable in countries who
services providers on the amount have signed a DTT.
in return of the payable,
services they including non-
Currently three
have provided to cash benefits
DTT are available
resident persons, and any other
in Burkina Faso:
i.e. services expenses
provided by incurred by the -DTT with France;
natural or legal client for the -DTT with Tunisia;

persons non- supplier -DTT with West
resident in African
Burkina Faso to
- 10% on the Economic and
taxpayers
same Monetary Union
resident in
assessment (WAEMU) (Benin,
Burkina Faso
basis for Cte dIvoire,
payments made Guinea Bissau,
by mining Mali, Niger,
companies Senegal, Togo).
registered in
Burkina Faso to
foreign suppliers
of mining
services
C. PERSONAL INCOME TAXES
As theres no unitary taxation system of incomes earned by individuals, each

income depending on its source, is submitted to a specific income tax.
14. Commercial, Industrial and Agricultural Businesses Profit Tax (BIC)
(a) Income Liable to Tax
Commercial, industrial and agricultural businesses income tax is levied on the

total income earned by businesses operated by natural persons (individuals) in
Burkina Faso. Are supposed to be liable to the tax too, the total profit or income
related to the business carried out in Burkina Faso
(b) Taxable Persons
Taxable persons to BIC comprise:
i. Natural persons (individuals);

ii. Legal persons which didnt make the choice to be submitted to CIT;
and
iii. Partners of private companies, limited partnership, joint ventures, de
facto partnership, and economic interest group by choice.
(c) Residence Rule
An individual business is considered as carried out in Burkina Faso if one

of these below conditions is met:

i. The natural person carrying out the business is registered at the
trade and personal property credit register (RCCM);
ii. The economic centre of the business is located in Burkina Faso.
Therefore, the income tax is levied on the simple basis the business is
carried out in Burkina Faso regardless the residence of the natural
person.
(d) Allowable Expenses
i. General terms for expenses deductibility (cf. CIT)

ii. Specific terms for expenses deductibility
Expenses incurred for both private and professional purpose: For such
expenses, the taxpayer is requested to break down the global amount in
order to distinguish the private part and the professional part. When this
distinction is made, only the deduction of the professional part is allowed.
When the distinction is not made, only the deduction of 2/3 of the global
amount will be allowed.
Remuneration paid to spouse: Remuneration paid to spouse really

working in the firm is an allowable expense within two conditions:
- firstly, this remuneration must not be exaggerated in comparison

with the remuneration other employees of the firm under similar
position
- secondly, the spouse must be registered at workers social security

fund in Burkina Faso
(e) Rate of the Tax
Gradual rate per tranche
TRANCHE OF INCOME RATE

0 to 500,000 FCFA 10%
500,001 to 1,000,000 FCFA 20%
Beyond 1,000,001 FCFA 27.5%

(f) Minimum Tax
Excepted the first year of assessment, taxpayers are chargeable to a

minimum tax. This minimum tax to be levied and paid shall be 0.5% of the
turnover of the business for the year. This minimum anyway cannot be
less than 1,000,000 FCFA for companies submitted to Real Normal Tax
Regime or less than 300,000 FCFA for companies submitted to Real
Simplified Tax Regime. The minimum chargeable is payable monthly for
taxpayers under Real Normal Tax Regime and by quarter for taxpayers
under Real Simplified Tax Regime
15. Non Commercial Profit Tax (BNC)
Non-commercial profit tax is levied on income earned by:
- Professions: Constitutes a profession, a business in which

intellectual activity or skills play the leading role and which consists
in the personal practice, independently, of a science or an art.
Members of professions who bring their collaboration to colleagues
without being in a subordinate position are considered themselves
as practicing a profession;
- Duties and offices whose holders do not have the quality of traders
(notaries offices, legal offices, etc);
- All other occupations and sources of profit not subject to a special
income tax.
- In addition to the revenues derived directly from the practice of
professions referred to above, taxable income also includes:
- Revenue from stocks transactions by individuals;
- Copyright revenue received by artists, writers and composers or by
other beneficiaries and their heirs or legatees;
- Non-wage income of athletes;
- Income received by the inventors;
- Income received by organizers of shows;
- Any other income from ancillary basis to pursue a non-commercial
activity received by non-registered persons.
(b) Taxable persons
Taxable persons are taxable persons, natural persons who are carrying
out non-commercial businesses enumerated above.

Taxable persons are also liable to this income tax, professional
partnerships members and private schools, operated by natural persons.
(c) Residence rule (cf. BIC)
(d) Allowable expenses
Where the taxable income is defined on accrual basis for BIC, the taxable
income in BNC is defined on cash accounting basis.
General terms, for expenses deductibility
The general terms for the deductibility of expenses is nearly the same
like with BIC within the additional condition the expenses have been
really paid (cash accounting basis).
Specific terms for expenses deductibility
i. Insurance premiums paid to provide retirement, death or disability

allowances, gifts and donations and capital allowances under the
same condition like for CIT.
ii. Health insurance premiums paid to local insurance companies in the
name of the holder of the profession are deductible within the limit of
0.5% of the total expenses of the fiscal year.
iii. Remuneration paid to spouse within the same condition like for BIC.
iv. Private expenses and expenses incurred for voluntary work are not
allowed.
(e) Rate of the Tax

0 to 500,000 FCFA 10%
500,001 to 1,000,000 FCFA 20%
Beyond 1,000,001 FCFA 27.5%
(f) Minimum Tax
50,000 francs for private nursing practice;

200,000 francs for maternity clinics;

500,000 francs for educational institutions of Real Normal Tax Regime
200,000 francs for educational institutions of Real Simplified Tax
Regime;
1,000,000 francs for other occupations in the Real Normal Tax Regime,
and
300,000 for those in the Real Simplified Tax Regime
16. Employees Income Tax (IUTS)
Salaries, wages and non-cash benefits, except, non-cash benefits

incurred by the Government and its dismemberments are liable to IUTS.
(b) Taxable Persons
Taxable persons are:
i. An employee in Burkina Faso receiving his salary from a private or

public firm or from the government of Burkina Faso
ii. All employees resident in Burkina Faso, even if the business is

carried out of Burkina Faso, or the employer is non-resident or is
established out of Burkina Faso
iii. Non-resident employees within the two following conditions:
- the activity is carried out in Burkina Faso

- the employer is resident in Burkina Faso or is established in
Burkina Faso
iv. Employees on holiday whose salaries are still paid by their employer
in Burkina Faso
v. An employee or official of the government of Burkina Faso posted in

a foreign country where he is not submitted to an income tax
regarding international treaties

(c) Residence Rule
The main rule is if an employment business is carried in Burkina Faso, the

salaries paid by the employer are liable to the tax.
But it is also accepted that resident employees are also liable to the tax
regardless the geographic location of the business or the employer.
Is a resident employee:
- An employee who has his permanent home in Burkina Faso;

- An employee who has his permanent home outside Burkina Faso
but is present in Burkina Faso for a period, or periods amounting in
aggregate to 183 days or more in any twelve-month period that
commences or ends during the year of assessment.
(d) Deductions and Exemptions Allowed
i. Deductions allowed:
- Amounts withheld by the employer as a representative of the

employee contribution to social security fund within the limit of
8% of the basic salary, included the seniority premium.
- Standard rebate of 20% or 25% of 8% of the basic salary
(seniority premium included), as a representative of the
expenses incurred by the employee to win his revenue (20%
for senior executives or managers, and 25% for other
categories).
ii. Partial Exemptions
- the rent or housing allowance, and related benefice in kind

within the double limit of 20% of the gross salary contribution to
social security fund excluded) and 50,000 FCFA
- the function compensation or allowance within the double limit
of 5% of the gross salary (contribution to social security fund
excluded) and 30,000 FCFA
- the transportation allowance within the double limit of 5% of the
gross salary (contribution to social security fund excluded) and
20,000 FCFA

iii. Total Exemptions
- family allowances, family assistance allowances and any

other related compensation
- civil and military pensions
- allowance for military and civil honorific distinction, MPs
emoluments
- dismissal compensations, compensations for retirement
- In case of reciprocity, the consulates and embassies official
remunerations.
(e) Rate of the Tax

0 to 30,000 FCFA 0%
30,100 to 50,000 FCFA 12.10%
50,100 to 80,000 FCFA 13.9%
80,100 to 120,000 FCFA 15.7%
120,100 to 170,000 FCFA 18.4%
170,100 to 250,000 FCFA 21.7%
Beyond 250,000 FCFA 25%
(f) Personal Tax Relief
NUMBER OF DEPENDENT PERSONS TAX RELIEF RATE

1 8%
2 10%
3 12%
4 14%
5 16%
6 18%
7 20%
Can be considered as dependent person for tax relief, within the condition
they dont have their personal income:

- Minor children, disabled children or children aged under 25 when
they are students;
- Under the same conditions as above, orphan children
- Unemployed spouse.
17. Rental Income Tax (IRF)
The following are liable to rental income tax:
i. Income from house property

ii. Income from the rental of display law, the concession of
exploitation of quarries permits and assimilated
iii. The income of undeveloped properties of any kind including land
occupied by mining and quarrying.
(b) Taxable Persons
All the persons beneficiaries of the revenues enumerated above are

taxable to rental income tax (natural and legal4 persons).
(c) Residence Rule
The tax on the income derived from immovable located in Burkina Faso.
But if the income is earned by a resident, the revenue is liable to the tax
even if the immovable is located out of Burkina Faso.
For residence rule please cf. CIT and IUTS.
4
To avoid double taxation, rents obtained by taxpayers assessable to IS (corporate income
tax) are exempted from this tax. The exemption is dropped when the beneficiary is
exempted from IS. Are also exempted from the tax the rental income of hotel
accommodation and assimilated.
For other taxpayers submitted to BIC or BNC (natural persons commercial and non-
commercial businesses income taxes), the rents from lands, houses and building registered
in the assets of the balance sheet, or allocated to professional use, are assessable to BIC or
BNC at their amount net of rental income tax ( cf. rental income tax act, Title I-2-1).

(d) Deductions and Exemptions Allowed
For the taxable income determination, revenues earned by a landlord

which total amount is not over than 20,000 FCFA is exempted from the
tax.
Also, a rebate of 50% is applicable on the taxable amount.
(e) Rate of Tax

0 to 100,000 FCFA 18%
Beyond 100,000 FCFA 25%
D. OTHER INCOME TAXES
Stocks and Securities Income Tax (IRVM)
TAXABLE PERSONS TAXABLE INCOME RATE OF THE TAX

Any natural or legal - Dividends - Common rate: 12.5%
person receiving with a reduction of 50%
interests or dividends for the dividends paid
- Securities income
from legal persons the first three
submitted to CIT5 accounting (or fiscal)
- Interests on loans of years
Public limited
companies, private
- 6% for the revenue of
limited companies and
bonds issued in Burkina
other legal persons
Faso.
liable to CIT
5
A natural person submitted to both this tax and BIC, will, for BIC purpose, only take into
account the revenue of his stocks or loans net of the tax because this tax is retained by the
legal person when paying the dividend or the interest. But a legal person submitted to both
this tax and IS, will, for IS purpose, treat the tax paid as an advance of its corporate income
tax (art. 60 of the Corporate Income Tax Act).

Receivables, Deposits and Guarantees Income Tax (IRC)
TAXABLE PERSONS TAXABLE INCOME RATE OF THE TAX

Natural and legal Interests and all other Common rate: 25%.
persons beneficiaries income from loans, 12.5% for accounts and
of interests on loans, deposits, cash surety- deposits recorded in the
deposits and bonds, current books of credit and
guarantees6 accounts, savings financial institutions
bonds.
Real Estate Capital Gain Tax (TPVI)
TAXABLE TAXABLE INCOME RATE OF

PERSONS THE TAX
Natural and The capital gain obtained by making 10%
legal persons7 the difference between the sale price
or compensation received for the
expropriation on the one hand and the
acquisition price or the market value of
the estate when the estate is
transferred as a gift on the other hand.
Mining Permits Transactions Income Tax
TAXABLE TAXABLE INCOME RATE OF

PERSONS THE TAX
Natural and - The capital gain obtained by making 20%
legal persons8 the difference between the sale price
of the permit or the market value of the
permit on the one hand and the
acquisition price on the other hand;
6
All taxpayers submitted both to businesses income tax (IS, BIC or BNC) may take into
account, for their business income tax purpose, the revenue net of the IRC paid before,
because the IRC is retained by the debtor when paying the interest.
7
The taxable persons already taxable to IS, BIC or BNC are exempted from this tax to avoid
double taxation (art. 182-2 of the Tax Code).
8
The taxable persons already taxable to IS, BIC or BNC are exempted from this tax to avoid
double taxation (art. 182-2 of the Tax Code).

- For income from other forms of
transactions on mining permits, the
assessment basis consists in the price
charged.
E. CROSS BORDER TRANSACTIONS
18. Permanent Establishment
Companies and other legal persons, whose registered office is outside of

Burkina Faso, are subject to tax at their principal place of business in Burkina
Faso, according to the results of operations they have performed.
Business carried by natural person resident outside Burkina Faso is also liable to
income tax in Burkina Faso when the business is carried out in Burkina Faso.
Therefore, a foreign business (company or business carried out by a natural

person) is liable to income tax in Burkina Faso if it has a permanent
establishment in Burkina Faso.
Is considered as a permanent establishment, any fixed place of business where

the company is wholly or partly carried on.
The fixed place of business means any premises, site, equipment or facility,
established in a particular place, more or less permanently used for the exercise
of business activities.
However, with regard to the construction site, there is a permanent

establishment when it lasts more than six (06) months.
A company is deemed to have a permanent establishment in Burkina Faso

where a natural or legal person has the power to act, as usual, on his behalf, by
entering into contracts on its behalf, even when the company does not have a
fixed place of business in Burkina Faso.
There are also permanent establishment if that person does not have that power
and that it usually keeps in the country a stock of goods for delivery on behalf of
the company.
Activities consisting of preparatory or auxiliary operations do not constitute

permanent establishments in that these operations are not generating products
and are not identical to the company's object.

However, when a fixed place of business conducts preparatory or auxiliary
activities identical to the company's operations, they will be considered to be
made by a permanent establishment.
A fixed place of business is considered a permanent establishment when used

for the delivery of goods.
Is deemed to have a permanent establishment in Burkina Faso an insurance or

reinsurance company when it collects premiums or insures risks situated in the
country, through an employee or agent which acts in the ordinary course of
business, provided that it has not broker status, commission agent or any other
agent of independent status.
19. Branch Profit Tax
Branches are considered as permanent establishments in Burkina Faso for

income tax purpose.
A branch of a natural person will be submitted to personal income tax (BIC)

where a branch of a legal person will be submitted to CIT.
Management fees or head office fees recharged by a foreign parent company to

its branch established in Burkina Faso is deductible within the limit of 10% of the
taxable profit before taking into account these fees.
20. Double Tax Treaty (DTT)
To avoid double taxation on income, Burkina Faso has DTTs with France,
Tunisia and West Africa Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). WAEMU
comprises Benin, Cte dIvoire, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo).
21. Transfer Pricing Regulation
(a) Principles of Transfer Pricing Control
Provisions have been inserted in the tax law to give power to tax
authorities to control transfer pricing. Three provisions in the Corporate
Income Tax Act (article 21, 22 and article 82) and another one in the Tax
Procedures Book (article 4).
i. Article 82 of the Corporate Income Tax Act: Principle of Transfer

Pricing Control by Tax Authorities

This article provides that, for the assessment of the corporate
income tax payable by companies in Burkina Faso which depend on
companies outside of Burkina Faso (the head office is out of Burkina
Faso) or by companies in Burkina Faso which have the control of
companies outside of Burkina Faso (the head office is, in this case,
in Burkina Faso), profits, indirectly transferred by any means, will be
taken into the taxable profits.
The same treatment will be applicable for companies under the

control of a company or a group which also have the control of
companies outside of Burkina Faso. Especially constitute indirect
transfers of profits:
- The increase of purchases costs (purchases overpriced);

- The decrease of sales value (sales under-priced);
- The payment of excessive royalties or the payment of royalties
without consideration;
- Loans without interests or with high or low interests rate;
- Unjustified debts abandonments;
- Advantages out of proportion with the service provided.
The matter with this provision is how to prove some transactions are
made at inappropriate prices.
To make things easy for the Tax officials, another article has been
inserted in the Tax Procedures Book which transfers the charge to
prove that transactions are made on market prices or at arms
length to the taxpayers.
ii. Article 4 of Tax Procedures Book: Obligation for the Taxpayer to

Justify or to Produce Support for the Transactions made with
Associated Companies
Indeed, when, during a tax field audit or tax investigation, the tax
authorities have gathered evidences suggesting, a firm has made an
indirect transfer of profits within the meaning of Article 82 of the
Corporate Income Tax Act, they may request from the taxpayer
information and documents specifying:
- The kind of relations existing between the associated

companies;
- The methods used to determine their transactions prices;
- The businesses carried out by the companies;
- The fiscal regime of these transactions for the companies
outside of Burkina Faso.
With the year 2015 finance act, it has been added in the article 53
and 54 of the Tax Procedures Book an extension of the duration of
the possibility for the tax authorities to check transactions which
incur transfer pricing.
Generally, the tax authorities have the possibility to go three years

back to check that a taxpayer has been well assessed; From now
on, for transfer pricing matters, they can go three and an half years
back.
(b) Corporate Income Tax Act and Transfer Pricing Control
i. Limitation of the Deductibility of Management or Head Office Fees

(Article 21 of CITA)
When a foreign company opens a subsidiary (a branch) in Burkina

Faso, the management or head office fees charged by the head
office to the subsidiary are deductible from the corporate income tax
assessment basis under a limit. The deductible amount cannot
exceed 10% of the taxable profit of the tax period.
ii. Limitation of the Deductibility of Payments to Foreign Suppliers

Resident in Tax Havens or Non-cooperative Countries (Article 22 of
CITA)
All transactions payable by resident taxpayers to businesses

resident in a country with a privileged or non-cooperative tax regime
will be deductible in the calculation of corporate income tax if the
debtors (the resident taxpayers) give the proof that the transactions
are not fictitious and do not appear abnormal or exaggerated. The
taxpayer has to prove the transaction has been made at arms
length. In this case the question is how a country may be considered
as a tax haven or non-cooperative. The article gives also the
answer.
A country may be considered as a tax haven if the standard rate of

its income tax is lower by more than the half of the standard rate of
income tax in Burkina Faso.
A country may be considered as uncooperative when it doesnt

comply with international transparency and information exchange
standards in tax matters between tax authorities. A list of so called
countries shall be yearly published by the ministry of finances
iii. Limitation of the Deductibility of Interests (Article 28 of CITA)
The introduction of this article is to fight against transfer pricing

manipulation by the mean of thin capitalization.
This certainly due to the fact that the tax authorities have noticed
that some companies are heavily financed by debt instead by
equity. In such situations, the proportion of the company capital is
more of debt than equity.
The taxpayers generally make this choice (debt financing) because

of interests on loan are deductible for corporate income tax
calculation whereas dividends are not.
To combat or reduce transfer pricing manipulation through thin

capitalization, the article 28 of the CITA provided that, when the
beneficiary of the interests is, neither a partner, nor a credit
institution, the interests are deductible within the limit of the legal
interest rate.
For these above situations, the deductibility of the interests is both

submitted to the two conditions:
- The registered capital of the company shall be fully paid up

- The debt generating the interests must not exceed twice the
amount of the registered capital
F. INVESTMENTS GUARANTEES
22. General Guarantees
(a) Natural or legal entities established in Burkina Faso can apply for any

type of rights useful for their activities.
(b) They cannot be subject to discrimination of any kind regarding legislation
because of their nationality.
(c) They can be members of professional organizations to defend their rights
like any Burkinabe employer or employee.
(d) Foreign companies will have the same protection given to Burkinabe
companies in matters of trade and intellectual property.
23. Free Transferability of Capital, Revenue, and Profits
Foreign companies have the right to:
(a) Import any founds acquired or borrowed abroad and needed for the course
of their businesses;
(b) Transfer abroad funds intended to repay debts contracted abroad in capital
and interest, pay foreign suppliers for goods and services needed for their
businesses;
Transfer abroad dividends and capital yields invested as well as yield from
liquidation or realization of their assets;
(c) Access freely currencies at the market rate and freely convert national
currency into any other currencies.
They may be authorized by the Minister of Finances to open with an intermediate

bank agreed locally or abroad a foreign exchange account for their mines.
Operation of foreign account shall be subject to regular in force.
They may also, on request, obtain with the Central Bank of West African States
(BCEAO) on the one hand, the opening of a domicile account to collect the
revenue generated by their businesses and on the other hand, the opening of an
account for external payments for the various payments of financial
commitments abroad.
The expatriate workers have also the right to transfer their salaries, including
social security contributions and pension fund to their home country, after paying
the local taxes and contributions available, in the currency of their choice.
24. Stability Agreement
Companies under investments acts (common investment act, mining act or

SCADD act) are protected generally by the law or a deed between them and the
government by which they are not submitted to changes introduces in the future
by the government.

G. OTHER DIRECT TAXES
Business Licence Tax
TAXABLE TAXABLE ASSESSMENT RATE OF THE TAX

PERSONS BASIS
Natural and legal The tax comprises two fees: - The fixed fee is red on
persons carrying out a table in accordance
independent with the turnover and
- a fixed fee calculated on the
businesses i.e. the kind of activity
basis of turnover of the year
employees are not carried on.
preceding its calculation
concerned with the
tax
- The ad valorem fee is
- an ad valorem fee
obtained by applying the
calculated on the basis of the
rate of 8% on the rental
rental value of the business
value of the business
assets
assets.
Employers and Apprenticeship Tax

PERSONS BASIS
Natural or legal Salaries, wages and non 3%
persons employing cash benefits except non
workers cash benefits incurred by the
Government and its
dismemberments.
Mortmain Property Tax

PERSONS BASIS
Public limited Rental value of the real 10% for buildings in
companies, private estate property solid materials
limited companies & 2,5% for buildings in
other legal persons non-solid materials

H. INDIRECT TAXES
TAXABLE PERSONS TAXABLE RATE OF THE TAX

TRANSACTIONS
Value Added Tax
Natural or legal persons - importations 18%
carrying out - sales
independently - constructions work
businesses which - services
turnover is equal or - Self delivery of goods or
superior to 50,000,000 services
FCFA
Tourism Development Tax
- Hotels Businesses carried out by - 2000 FCFA per ticket
hotels and airline for domestic flights.
- Airline companies companies - 3000 FCFA per ticket
for international flights.
- 1000 FCFA per person
per day for guests of
three stars or over three
stars hotels or
assimilated.
two stars hotels or
assimilated.
one star hotels or
assimilated.
Tax on Beverages
- Local producers of Importation of beverages - Alcoholic beverages
beverages other than beer: 30%
Local sales of beverages
by the producer - Beer : 25%
- Non-alcoholic
beverages: 10%

- Importers of Exemptions: For beverages locally
beverages or their produced, the tax basis
customs agents - wines for mass is the turnover, VAT
- alcoholic medical products excluded.
- local fruit or vegetables
juices For imported beverages
- beverages locally the tax basis is the
manufactured for exportation custom value of the
only goods.
Tax on Tobacco Cigarillos and Cigarettes
Local tobacco Local production and - low end products: 17%
manufacturers, or importation of tobacco, - upscale products: 30%
importers of tobacco, cigarillos and cigarettes
- other products : 25%
cigarillos and
cigarettes
For local products, the
tax basis is the turnover,
VAT excluded.
For imported products

the tax basis is the
custom value of the
goods.
Tax on Telecom Operators
Telecoms operators Turnover all taxes excluded 5% of the turnover all
established in Burkina taxes excluded
Faso
Tax on Coffee and Tea
Importers of coffee Importation of coffee or tea 10% on the custom
and tea value of the imported
goods
Tax on Cola
Importers of cola Importation of cola 10% on the custom
value of the imported
goods
Grazing Tax
Owners of sheep Cattle sheep and goats in - For cattle: 2,500FCFA
and goats in transit transit in Burkina Faso per animal
in Burkina Faso, or - For sheep and goats:
their customs 150 FCFA per animal
agents.

TAXABLE TAXABLE RATE OF THE TAX
PERSONS TRANSACTIONS
Tax on Licence for Pubs and Bars
Natural or legal Sales for consumption on The amount payable is
person owners of public spaces of beverages between 12,000 FCFA
licence to open public and 150,000 depending
spaces for sales and on the geographic
consumption of location of the bar, pub
beverages, or restaurant.
restaurants included.
Tax on Games of Chance

Natural or legal Games of chances except The rate is 5%
person owners of those developed by the applicable on the
firms where people national company of lottery turnover or on the gross
can go for games of (LONAB) revenue of the games
chance proposed to the public
Specific Tax on Perfumery and Cosmetic Products

-Local producers of Importation of perfumeries - For goods locally
perfumeries and and cosmetics manufactured, 10% on
cosmetics Local sales of perfumeries the turnover VAT
-Importers of and cosmetics excluded.
perfumeries and by the producer9
cosmetics or -For imported goods,
their customs agents 10% on the custom
Exemptions:
value of the imported
goods.
- perfumeries and cosmetics
locally manufactured for
exportation only
9
Retailers or dealers of local beverages are submitted to a tax different from this tax as
shown below.

I. STAMP DUTIES
25. Registration Fees
(a) Fixed Fees
DEED FEES
Proprietorship certificate 4,000
Assignment, subrogation, retrocession of lease of any kind of 4,000
assets
Full acceptance of succession, legacy or community 4,000
Outright renunciation of succession, leg or community 4,000
Inventories of furniture, movables and securities 4,000
Inventory closing 4,000
Deeds of bailiff and assimilated persons 4,000
Prized for furniture 4,000
Wills and other donations 4,000
Assignments of property and business property 4,000
Deeds exempted from stamp duties 4,000
Adjudication for false bidding 4,000
Marriage contract dealing with the regime adopted by the 4,000
bride and the groom
Onerous deed of sale or transfer of aircraft, ship or boat 4,000
Property disposals made by leasing companies 4,000
Contract by which a mining permit holder assigns partially or 4,000
totally his rights and obligations
(b) Ad Valorem Fees
DEED FEES
Professional leases 5%
Residential leases 3%
Lease of movables for unlimited time 7%
Lease for life and unlimited lease of real estate 15%
Assignment of lease right or a promise of lease benefit 15%
Marriage contract 0.5%
Real estate exchange 5%

Assignment of business property 10%
Shares and portion of undivided property acquired by bidding 7%
Public Procurements or Public contracts 3%
Sharing of movables and immovable property between co- 0.5%
owners
Sharing back of movables 7%
Constitution of pension, onerous pension and divestiture 1%
transport
Sales of other deeds of property or usufruct of immovable 8%
property
Sales of other deeds of property or usufruct of movable 7%
property
(c) Progressive Fees
RATE APPLICABLE TO PORTION OF NET SHARE

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN:
DEGREEE 1 2,000,001 5,000,001 10,000,001 Beyond
to to to to 50,000,000
2,000,000 5,000,000 10,000,000 50,000,000
Direct relatives and 0% 0% 1% 2% 5%
between spouses
Between brothers 0% 7% 10% 15% 20%
and sisters and 3rd
degree relatives
Between 3rd degree 10% 15% 20% 30% 40%
relatives and non-
relatives persons
26. Tax on Insurances
(a) Insured Persons
TAXABLE RATE OF THE TAX TIME LIMIT FOR FILING

TRANSACTIONS TAX RETURN
Any insurance 8% for transport insurance Tax collected during a
contract and life month is payable within
annuity 20% for fire insurance the 20 days of the
following month.
0,25% exportation credit
insurance

12% various risk
insurance and liability of
public transport of
persons and goods, taxis
included
10% for civil motorcars

liability insurance
J. OVERALL TAXATION
We have already said Burkina Faso income tax system is a not a unitary tax
system. But it is a self-assessment tax system. This therefore means for
each income, a specific income tax and for a taxpayer earning different
incomes, many tax returns to fill and many checks to lead by tax authorities.
Some businesses carried out by generally natural persons and scarcely by

legal persons are difficult to control by tax authorities regarding various
reasons: lack of books, low instruction level of their leaders, low level of the
businesses for which holding books attracts more costs than advantages,
etc.
To make things easier for both taxpayers and tax office, tax authorities
sometimes opt for a very simple system of taxation called overall taxation
system for such small businesses and firms. In such a system, the taxpayer
is submitted to a single tax with generally no self-assessment tax.
Each year, generally at the beginning of the year, the tax officers by a
notice, inform the taxpayer of the amount of tax he is submitted for the
current year: that is, micro firms contribution.
Some taxpayers are submitted to an overall tax based on their livestock: that
is livestock sector contribution.
And at least, we have beverage sector contribution which is a tax levied on

sales of beverages sellers who are out of the scope of businesses income
profit tax, and beverage tax we dealt with above.
In Burkina Faso tax system, these taxes are considered as indirect taxes
which payment includes the income tax, VAT, business license tax, and tax
on license for bars, pubs and restaurants, employers and apprenticeship
tax.

Contribution of Micro-businesses
TAXABLE TAXABLE RATE OF THE TAX AND

PERSONS TRANSACTIONS ASSESSMENT BASIS
Natural persons with - Taxpayers submitted to The rate varies from 2,000
a turnover less than beverage sector to 200,000 FCFA per
15,000,000 FCFA contribution. month depending on the
level of the activities and
the geographic situation of
- Taxpayers submitted to
the firm.
livestock sector
contribution
Contribution of Livestock Sector

Merchants of Merchants of livestock, Cattle: 3,000 francs CFA
livestock, poultry poultry and raw skins per animal
and raw skins whose products are
intended for domestic
Sheep and goat: 250
consumption and are
CFA francs per animal
subject to the contribution
of the informal sector
Poultry: 50 CFA francs
per bird
Raw skins: 100 CFA

francs per kilogram
Contribution of Beverages Sector

Natural or legal Manufacturers for the sales The rate is 5% of the
person retailers or of their products to gross amount of the
dealers of local wholesalers and half- purchases made with the
beverages. wholesalers local beverages
producers

K. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
27. Furnishing of Tax Returns, Offences and Penalties
IS (CIT) BIC BNC IUTS IRF

Time Limit for Filing Returns
Within the Within the first Within the For an For an
first four four months first two assessable assessable
months following the months month, within month or
following the year of following the the first 10 quarter of the
year of assessment. year of days of the year, the tax is
assessment. assessment following payable within
31st of May month. the 10 days of
for insurance But when the the beginning
companies tax amount of the next
is less than 2 month or
500FCFA, quarter of the
within the year.
first 10
days of the
following
quarter of
the year
Failure to Keep Books of Accounts
First offence: First offence: First offence: Non Non
1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 applicable applicable
FCFA FCFA FCFA
Over first Over first time: Over first
time: 2,000,000 time:
2,000,000 FCFA 2,000,000
FCFA FCFA
Failure to Furnish a Return
Obligatory Obligatory Obligatory Obligatory 50% of the
assessment assessment assessment assessment duties payable
and increase and increase and increase and increase
of the tax of the tax of the tax of the tax
payable at the payable at the payable at the payable at
rate of 25% to rate of 25% to rate of 25% to the rate of
50% with a 50% with a 50% with a 25% to 50%
minimum of minimum of minimum of
100,000 FCFA 100,000FCFA 100,000 FCFA

IS (CIT) BIC BNC IUTS IRF
Later Furnishing of Return
200,000 200,000 200,000 25% of the 25% of the
FCFA, FCFA, FCFA, duties payable duties payable
Increase of Increase of Increase of
10% or 25% 10% or 25% 10% or 25%
with a with a with a
50,000 50,000 50,000
Later Payment of The Tax

Increase of Increase of Increase of 25% to 100% Increase of
10% plus 1% 10% plus 1% 10% plus 1% of the duties 10% plus 1%
per month or per month or per month or payable per month or
per part of per part of per part of per part of
month month month month
Decrease of the Assessable Income

Increase of the Increase of the Increase of the 100% of the 50% of the
tax payable at tax payable at tax payable at duties evaded duties evaded
the rate of the rate of the rate of
25% to 200% 25% to 100% 25% to 200%
with a with a with a
100,000 FCFA 100,000 FCFA 100,000 FCFA
Failure to WHT
Non applicable Non applicable Non applicable 100% of the Non
duties evaded deductibility
of the rental
expenses
from the
assessable
income

WHT on Local WHT on Local Services WHT on Foreign Services
Sales of Goods Providers Providers
Time Limit for Filing Returns
For an assessable For an assessable month, For an assessable month,
month, the tax is the tax is payable within the tax is payable within the
payable within the the 20 days of the 20 days of the beginning of
20 days of the beginning of the next the next month.
beginning of the month.
next month.
Failure to Furnish a Return
Obligatory Obligatory assessment Obligatory assessment and
assessment and and increase of the tax increase of the tax withheld
increase of the tax withheld at the rate of at the rate of 200%
payable at the rate 200%
of 50% plus 5% per
month or per part of
a month with a
minimum of 500,000
FCFA
Later Furnishing of Return
Increase of the tax Increase of the tax Increase of the tax payable
payable at the rate payable at the rate of at the rate of 15% per
of 25% plus 5% per 15% per month or per month or per part of a
month or part of a part of a month month
month with a
minimum of 250,000
FCFA
Later Payment of the Tax
Increase of 10% Increase of the tax Increase of the tax payable
plus 5% per month payable at the rate of at the rate of 15% per
or per part of month 15% per month or per month or per part of a
part of a month month
Decrease of the Tax Assessment Basis
Personal liability to Personal liability to pay Personal liability to pay the
pay the tax due but the tax due but not tax due but not withheld
not withheld with a withheld
penalty of 100% Deductibility of the WHT
Deductibility of the WHT paid not allowed for income
not allowed for income tax calculation
tax calculation
Penalty of 200%

Failure to WHT
Personal liability to Personal liability to pay Personal liability to pay the
pay the tax due but the tax due but not tax due but not withheld
not withheld with a withheld
penalty of 100%
Deductibility of the WHT
Deductibility of the WHT paid and the amount of the
paid not allowed for service (on which the WHT
income tax calculation has been forgotten) not
allowed for income tax
calculation
Penalty of 200%
Disclaimer
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needed, the services of a solicitor should be sought and obtained.

Although reasonable care has been taken in compiling the Tax and Investment Facts,
we do not accept responsibility for any errors or inaccuracies contained in the
document. This Tax and Investment Facts booklet is also available electronically. If
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NIGERIA

Tax and Legal General Advisory

WTS Burkina Faso is a member of the WTS Alliance which is a global

Marie Herman Zoungrana Meryam Saran Ouedraogo

Matre Ambrose Farama

TAX AND INVESTMENT FACTS 2

A. INCOME TAXES IN BURKINA FASO .. 5

B. CORPORATE INCOME TAX .. 5

1. Income Liable to Tax 5

C. PERSONAL INCOME TAXES ...... 22

14. Commercial, Industrial and Agricultural Businesses Profit Tax (BIC) .. 22

D. OTHER INCOME TAXES ......... 30

E. CROSS BORDER TRANSACTIONS ....... 32

18. Permanent Establishment ... 32

3 TAX AND INVESTMENT FACTS

22. General Guarantees ... 36

G. OTHER DIRECT TAXES .... 38

H. INDIRECT TAXES ...... 39

I. STAMP DUTIES ........... 42

25. Registration Fees .... 42

J. OVERALL TAXATION .... 44

K. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS ... 46

27. Furnishing of Tax Returns, Offences and Penalties .. 46

TAX AND INVESTMENT FACTS 4

- Corporate income tax (IS)

B. CORPORATE INCOME TAX

1. Income Liable to Tax

Corporate income tax is levied on the total profit or income earned by

Taxable persons to corporate income tax can be classified in three (3)

(a) Taxable persons in regard of their legal form:

i. Private limited companies and public limited companies;

5 TAX AND INVESTMENT FACTS

i. Public bodies or institutions, government and its dismemberments

It is admitted that a company resident in Burkina Faso is, of course, considered

However, speaking of legal persons, a definition of their residence can be found

Within articles 23 and 24 of the OHADA companies act, the residence of a

TAX AND INVESTMENT FACTS 6

(a) General terms for expenses deductibility

Generally, to be deductible, expenses must comply with the following

i. Being incurred in the interest of the business i.e. the expenditures

(b) Specific terms for expenses deductibility

- Remunerations paid to the managers of private limited

- Employers contributions to the national private sector workers

- Holidays travelling expenses of expatriate workers are

ii. Contribution of branches to the functioning of their parent

7 TAX AND INVESTMENT FACTS

This clearly means that branches are considered as permanent

iii. Payments made by residents taxpayers to non-residents

All transactions payable by resident taxpayers to businesses

iv. Insurance premiums

- Health insurance premiums paid to local insurance companies

- Insurance premiums paid to West Africa Economic and

- Interests paid to partners are deductible within the limit of the

- When the beneficiary of the interests is neither a partner nor a

For these above situations, the deductibility of the interests is both

TAX AND INVESTMENT FACTS 8

vi. Hotels and restaurant fees

Restaurants and hotels charges are deductible within the limit of

vii. Gifts and donations