At the initiative of the Subcontracting and Partnership Exchange of Cameroon, the new tax measures contained in the 2026 Finance Law were explained to SMEs/SMIs during a seminar at the Bano Palace Hotel in Douala.

The 2026 Finance Law is no longer a mystery to the SMEs/SMIs that are members of the Subcontracting and Partnership Exchange of Cameroon. Its various chapters, and especially the new tax measures it contains, were thoroughly explained to them on January 20th at the Bano Palace Hotel in Douala. Subdivided into seven chapters, the tax measures of the 2026 Finance Law aim to improve the business climate (I), strengthen socio-economic support (II), broaden the tax base (III), secure collected revenue (IV), promote tax compliance (V), combat tax fraud and evasion (VI), and support the ecological transition (VII).

Jean Paul Wafo and Chrétien Teghuo Tamo, two experts from the firm SFAI Central Africa who led the discussions, focused particularly on the provisions of the law that directly impact the operations of SMEs, emphasizing the numerous advantages designed to improve the business climate. It was revealed that, in this area, the new law includes: strengthening tax advantages granted to businesses to promote employment for young graduates; reducing the tax burden on individuals by increasing the allowance on exceptional income from 25% to 35%; and reducing the with holding tax rate on rents from 15% to 10%, to align with the flat-rate tax stipulated in Article 89 of the General Tax Code. The decentralization of recourse to the quality committee by consecrating the competence of the Heads of Regional Tax Centers, with a view to bringing the decision closer to the user, decongesting central services and reducing the processing times of files; the renewal and extension of the special tax transaction procedure to claims issued before December 31, 2023, with an increase in the reduction rate to 80% among other things.

Six other equally revolutionary measures complete these provisions, which, according to the government, will contribute to improving the business climate by 2026. Jean Paul Wafo and Chrétien Teghuo Tamo will address each of the 11 points proposed to improve the business climate, highlighting the advantages they offer to SMEs, the constraints, and the steps to take to overcome any difficulties that may arise. The participants, including many SME leaders, accountants, and managers, asked numerous questions, each of which received satisfactory answers from the two experts.

Seizing the Opportunities Offered by Approved Management Centers

Jean Paul Wafo and Chrétien Teghuo Tamo, who are also promoters of the W P Approved Management Center, explained the rationale behind these organizations, approved by the Ministry of Finance, and the advantages offered to those who use their services. The goal of the Approved Management Center (AMC) is to provide assistance in management, supervision, and the fulfillment of tax and accounting obligations to member companies. Established by the 1996/1997 Finance Law, the AMCs are akey component of the system implemented by the government to support businesses operating in the informal sector as they transition to the formal sector. Companies, individuals, and legal entities with an annual turnover of less than 100 million CFA francs are eligible to join.

According to Jean Paul Wafo and Chrétien Teghuo Tamo, the AMCs (Approved Management Centers) offer significant tax advantages to their members, including: a 50% reduction in declared taxable profit without the tax due falling below the minimum collection threshold; exemption from the business license fee for the second year; a 50% reduction in the calculation basis for with holding tax on purchases for distributors of brewery products; the application of good faith penalties for tax audits following membership, covering the period after joining the AMC; and, following the automation of the procedure for the waiver of penalties and late payment interest, a 50%reduction for tax payers registered with AMCs who are up-to-date with their filing and payment obligations, among other benefits.

Eager to learn more, the participants asked numerous questions and also shared their experiences in tax management. Not without committing to joining Approved Management Centers in the future to benefit from the advantages they offer. "We came with specific questions about the impact of this new lawon our cash flow, and we're leaving with clear answers. The expertise of the speakers was crucial," confided one SME manager at the end of the seminar. A sentiment shared by all the participants, who called on the SPX-CMR to launch numerous such initiatives.