Tax
WAEMU-harmonised taxation with cashew export levies as the main revenue source
Guinea-Bissau uses the CFA franc and follows WAEMU harmonisation, with VAT introduced to replace the earlier general sales tax. Cashew export taxation dominates revenue, and collection capacity is weak.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — The Direcção-Geral das Contribuições e Impostos assesses; appeals go to the Tribunal Regional.
- Deadline — Corporate return: annually per the Código Geral Tributário
- Deadline — Cashew export levy: paid per campaign at the declared reference price
Governing law
- Código Geral Tributário
- Lei do Orçamento Geral do Estadoannual
- Règlement UEMOA n° 08/2008/CM relatif à l'harmonisation de la TVA
In practice
The single most consequential fiscal instrument is the reference price and export levy set for each cashew campaign, which determines both state revenue and smallholder income for the year. WAEMU membership constrains monetary and VAT policy, giving Guinea-Bissau the unusual profile of a lusophone legal system operating inside a francophone monetary and tax-harmonisation union.