Six major exemptions apply on Egyptian NGOs that register per new civil society law

CAIRO – 6 April 2022: The senate has agreed to extend the deadline for NGOs to register under the 2019 civil society law for another year to maximize the number of associations that enjoy the following privileges:

1 – Exemption from registration fees.

2 – Exemption from taxes and stamp duties.

3 – Exemption from real estate taxes.

4 – Donors do not pay taxes on their donations to NGOs as long as they do not exceed 10 percent of their income.  

5 – Exemption from custom taxes and other fees on imported tools, machines, equipment, production supplies, and vehicles, as well as gifts and aid received from abroad. The imported items must be relevant to the NGO’s activities.

6 – Consumption of water, power, and natural gas is treated as domestic, rather than commercial consumption.

More than 26,000 civil society associations applied to register per the new law during 2021.