Tax Figures
Corporate Income Tax
15%
Income Tax Rate
15%
Payroll Tax
Employers are required to calculate and remit 15% of personal income tax.
Sales Tax
N/A
Withholding Tax
N/A
Time to prepare and Pay Taxes
312 hours
Employers Social Security and statutory contributions
12%
Employees Social Security and statutory contributions
5%
Payroll
There are specific rules for payroll and taxation in Iraq, depending upon whether your company employs foreign nationals or local Iraqi employees. The primary concerns for a foreign company that needs to comply with tax laws in Iraq are: Individual income tax (IIT) for employees in Iraq, social security costs, payroll tax, sales tax, withholding tax, business tax and permanent establishment concerns.
Iraq has some unique rules regarding employment, for example there is no government pension system, although both employers and employees make contributions to health insurance and their sick leave.
Remote Payroll
A remote payroll in Iraq is where a foreign company, i.e. a non-resident company, payrolls a resident employee in Iraq. This applies to both local and foreign employees. The only option for a non-resident company to payroll its employees (local and foreign) in Iraq is to use a fully outsourced service like a GEO or FESCO which will employ and payroll the staff on their behalf.
Local Payroll Administration
In some cases, a company will register their business in Iraq under one of the forms available, (RO, WFOE or JV) but prefer to have another company administer its payroll. This can be accomplished through a payroll provider. It is important to note that the company, as the Employer of Record, is still fully responsible for compliance with employment, immigration, tax and payroll regulations, but the payroll calculations, payments and filings can all be outsourced to the payroll provider. The Iraqi Government tends to pay attention to large sums of money paid into or from international accounts, so it is key to employ a reliable and trustworthy local payroll administrator.
Internal Payroll
Larger companies with a commitment to Iraq may wish to run their own local payroll for all employees, foreign and local. In order to accomplish this, they will have to complete incorporation, register the business and then hire the necessary staff. There will be a need for in country human resources personnel who have the background needed to manage a Iraqi payroll, and can fulfill all tax, withholding, and payroll requirements. They must have an Iraqi bank account.
This approach carries significant cost and requires some knowledge of local employment and payroll regulations. The company will need a local accounting firm and potentially legal counsel to ensure full compliance with Iraqi employment laws.
Currency
Iraqi Dinar (IQD)
