On Monday, economic expert Nabil al-Marsoumi announced that the Iraqi government is seeking to impose a 15% tax on Facebook and other social media users to offset the decline in oil revenues. The government is also considering taxes on doctors' income and other tax measures in anticipation of a prolonged period of low oil prices.
The Iraqi government aims to enhance non-oil revenues and compensate for the noticeable drop in oil revenues due to falling oil prices and reduced production and exports from Iraq.
This decline coincides with significant expenditures and a budget deficit for 2024.
There is a government move to impose a 15% tax on Facebook and other social media users in Iraq.
Another proposal is to tax doctors' net income, with a range of other taxes currently under review.
The purpose of these measures is to prepare for potential future scenarios, especially since all indications suggest that the drop in oil prices could be prolonged.
The continued decrease in oil prices will negatively impact oil and public revenues and increase the budget deficit.
We may see further government actions to raise non-oil revenues to 27 trillion dinars, but as of July, only 8 trillion dinars have been achieved.