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Maher Ketari advocates for wealth tax exemption for Tunisians residing abroad
via Business News2 min read
Maher Ketari, president of the Finance Committee in the Assembly of People's Representatives, argued on June 18, 2026, for an exemption from the wealth tax for Tunisians residing abroad, despite his general opposition to the tax. He highlighted concerns from the Tunisian diaspora regarding Article 88 of the 2026 finance law, which applies to assets in Tunisia regardless of the owner's residence. Ketari emphasized the importance of maintaining strong ties with Tunisians living abroad, viewing it as a major national issue. He believes the expected revenue from taxing the assets of Tunisians abroad would be minimal, stating that a 0.5% or 1% contribution would not significantly benefit public finances and could harm relations with the diaspora. He also noted that international conventions to avoid double taxation already offer protections. Ketari reiterated his personal opposition to the wealth tax, recalling its initial rejection by the Finance Committee and in plenary sessions before being reintroduced by the government. He suggested that such taxation is more appropriate for advanced economies, arguing that a society still in economic development should focus on wealth creation before imposing further taxes.
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