A new gazette notification, issued by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies, has introduced stricter procedures and deadlines for the payment of excise taxes and fees on liquor production.
The regulations, which came into effect today (28), amend key provisions under Section 22 of the Excise Ordinance to ensure timely tax compliance by licensed manufacturers.
Under the new rules, every license holder must pay the required excise tax on or before the specified date. Failure to make full payment within 30 days of the prescribed date will result in the suspension of the bottling license of the respective licensee.
According to the Excise Department, this regulation is being implemented for the first time as a new legal provisionaimed at strengthening enforcement.
The gazette further stipulates that if a license holder fails to pay the due tax or fees within 90 days, all licenses held by that individual will be suspended.
Previously, the suspension period for non-payment was six months, but the new regulations have reduced it to three months, the department said.
The Excise Department added that the revised payment deadlines were introduced to minimize tax evasion and enhance overall compliance among liquor license holders.
