Morocco: Paying in cash will cost more

"In the 2026 finance bill, the State proposes to add two additional points to the registration fee when a real estate sale or the transfer of a business is carried out without a banking trace. In other words, paying in cash could soon cost more," writes L’Économiste. The ultimate goal is to reduce the place of cash in transactions and strengthen financial transparency, particularly in the real estate and business sectors. By deciding to impose an additional 2% tax on transactions in these sectors, the Moroccan state wants to encourage players to formalize their operations.

As of the end of July 2025, the mass of currency in circulation reached 458 billion dirhams, according to Bank Al-Maghrib. A volume that, beyond consumption, promotes tax evasion and corruption. With the 2% surcharge, the state forces players to pay more. Notaries, key players in the system, will now have to specify the method of payment and attach a bank document to the deed. In the event of undocumented payment, the registration fee will be increased. "Transfers for valuable consideration (sales of real estate or business transfers) are currently subject to a registration fee of 4 to 6%, depending on the nature of the property," explains the daily.

Thus, "paying in cash will therefore mean accepting a financial penalty," warns the publication, inviting sellers, buyers, and other players (notaries, intermediaries, real estate agents) to avoid cash payments. By imposing this surcharge, the state intends to encourage the bankarization of the economy. However, this additional 2% payment is not an amnesty. In other words, the surcharge does not erase any potential offenses and does not protect offenders from a tax audit. Transactions will remain subject to the verification and adjustment procedures provided for in the General Tax Code.