The government has no choice but to implement the Services Export Tax under the current circumstances, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa told the media.
Addressing the post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday, Minister Jayatissa pointed out that previously a higher tax was proposed in this regard.
He further said that if the Services Export Tax is not implemented, then the people will be forced to face an even more serious tax.
“As you know, we have to implement a limited- tax system without further burdening the public in order to increase government revenue. We will look into if the Finance Ministry can give any concession in this regard,” he added.
The government’s 2025 budget outlines a 15 per cent Services Export Tax reportedly for individuals and corporations in Sri Lanka who provide services to external parties and bring back foreign exchange, to be implemented from 01 April 2025.
According to the Head of Tax Services at BDO Sri Lanka, Sarah Afker freelancers living in Sri Lanka doing IT work for foreign parties and earning in dollars will also fall under this category. (Newswire)