Morocco Raises Taxes on Alcohol and Tobacco to Boost Revenue and Combat Addiction

Alcohol and cigarette consumers should be prepared to pay more for tobacco and alcohol in 2021. And for good reason, the Finance Act provides for an increase of 100 dirhams/hectolitre for wines, 200 dirhams/hl for beers, 50 dirhams/hl for non-alcoholic beers.

As for ethyl alcohols intended for the content or preparation of brandies, liqueurs, aperitifs, vermouths, preserved fruits in alcohol, fortified wines, mistelles, alcohol confectionery and other spirits, their tax is 1,000 dirhams/hl.

In addition, the entry into force of a new fiscal marking contract with the approved service provider has led to a considerable drop in the cost of fiscal stamps by 50% for manufactured tobaccos, 35% for beers and 20% for other products.

The calculation of the TIC from the tax burden is based on the selling price excluding the cost of fiscal marking. This reduces the taxable base and causes a shortfall for the state budget. In this regard, the Executive wants to take this cost into account in the calculation of the TIC on cigarettes in order to raise a lot of tax revenue, it is specified.