Introduction to
Mauritania tax planning guide

Located at the crossroads of Arab and African cultures, Mauritania offers expats a unique and authentic experience in a country known for its desert landscapes, rich traditions, and emerging opportunities in sectors like mining, energy, and development.



In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about relocating to Mauritania from a personal tax perspective, including tax residency, income tax, special tax regimes and tax return obligations. 



TaxPilot recommend that you organize your affairs in good time to get ahead and make the most of favorable tax treatment while making sure you’re meeting your tax return obligations.

TAX SYSTEM

HOW YOU’RE TAXED IN Mauritania

Mauritania follows a residence taxation model. If you are resident, you will pay tax worldwide incomes. If you are non-resident, you will pay tax on local incomes only.

Resident
Local Income
Foreign Income
Non-Resident
Local Income
Foreign Income
RESIDENCY

YOUR RESIDENT STATUS IN Mauritania

You’ll be considered tax resident if you satisfy any of the following criteria:
Vital interests

if your personal, economic and social ties are located in Mauritania during the tax year.

Home

if your main residence is in Mauritania during the tax year.

HIGHEST RATE

INCOME TAX IN Mauritania

Residents are subject to progressive tax rates and the highest rate of tax levied on employment income and self employment income is 40%.
Global comparison
56%
World highest
40
%
Mauritania
0%
World lowest
OPTIMISATION

SPECIAL TAX REGIME IN Mauritania

Providing that your foreign income is taxed overseas, the income will be exempt form taxation in Mauritania. Mauritania can be a very tax efficient place to live for expats and nomads and as such, Global Tax Consulting recommends seeking personalized tax planning advice to take advantage of the special tax regime.

Foreign income

Exempt from Mauritania taxation.

Special tax status

Applied indefinitely.

OTHER TAXES

PERSONAL TAXES IN Mauritania

Asset tax

Tax on property and share sales

Wealth tax

Tax on value of owned assets

Death tax

Tax on assets passed to heirs

Social tax

Tax to contribute to state welfare

 * It is recommended that you review your affairs and structure accordingly so that you do not end up creating an unexpected tax charge and paying more tax than necessary.
INTERNATIONAL TAX

DOUBLE TAXATION AGREEMENTS IN Mauritania

If you receive incomes overseas while you are living in Mauritania, you may find the source country, as a starting point, continues to tax the income which may cause double taxation unless you are using special tax regime.

Double taxation agreements can be used to mitigate double taxation and receive tax free income. As such, the more double taxation agreements a country has, the better, as agreements will ensure you’re not taxed twice and even better, ensure your income is tax free.  

At present, Mauritania has six double taxation agreements signed.

Global comparison
140
World highest
6
Mauritania
0
World lowest
COMPLIANCE

TAX OBLIGATIONS IN Mauritania

What is the deadline to file tax returns and settle tax liabilities?
The tax year starts on 1 January and ends on 31 January.
What is the deadline to file tax returns and settle tax liabilities?
The deadline to file your tax return is 31 March following the end of the tax year. The deadline to settle the tax liability is in installments - 40% by 31 March, 30% by June and 30% by 30 September following the end of the tax year.
Do you need to make advance payments of tax?
No you will not be required to make advance payments of tax.