J.18_Tax_Exemption_from_Afghan_Ministry_of_Finance.docx

Attachment J.17 Letter for Contractors to Obtain Tax Exemption from Afghan Ministry of Finance

Date:

Ministry of Finance Afghanistan Revenue Department Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Dear Sir:

The purpose of this letter is to request the assistance of the Afghanistan Revenue Department of the Ministry of Finance in issuing the appropriate tax clearances and exemption letters on behalf of (Name of Company, AISA License, TIN) under the contract(s) identified above. (Name of Company) will provide the Ministry of Finance, Rulings and Tax Exemption Office, and the Afghanistan Revenue Department with a copy of this Tax Exemption Letter and the relevant contract(s).

Our records indicate that the subject contract was performed by (Name of Company) for the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau (INL) of the Department of State. This contract was awarded by the Department of State (DOS) contracting office using INL Foreign Assistance funding for the purposes and activities listed in the bilateral agreement entitled “Letter of Agreement on Police, Criminal Justice, and Counternarcotics Support Programs between the Government of the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (LOA)” issued on March 9, 2006, which provides in section 7:

A. Materials and Equipment Any funds, material and equipment introduced into Afghanistan by the U.S. government (USG) or by any person or entity (including but not limited to contractors and grantees) funded by the USG pursuant to this Agreement shall be exempt from taxes, services charges and investment or deposit requirements and currency control in Afghanistan. The import, export, acquisition, use or disposition of any such property or funds in connection with this Agreement shall be exempt from any tariffs, custom duties, import and export taxes, taxes on purchases or disposition and any other taxes or similar charges in Afghanistan.

B. Contract Services Any foreign contractor, including any consulting firm and any foreign personnel of such contractor financed under the project and any property or transaction related directly to such contracts, and any commodity procurement transaction financed under this project are exempt from taxes, tariffs, duties or other levies imposed under law in effect in Afghanistan.

The term “contractor” and “personnel” are interpreted to include subcontractors and their employees as well as grantees.

Based on the above, I respectfully request that the Afghanistan Revenue Department facilitate the prompt issuance of a tax exemption letter and/or certificate to (Name of Company) to help ensure the timely and successful completion of the activities under the LOA.

I thank you for your assistance in these matters.

Sincerely, (Name) Contracting Officer Department of State