Accounting Year and Filing
Gabon requires companies to close their financial year on 31 December. Their annual tax returns must cover the preceding calendar year and reach the tax authorities before 30 April.
Instalments and Final Settlement
Corporate tax payments go to the General Tax Office. Two advance payments fall due on 30 November and 30 January, respectively. The November instalment represents one quarter of the previous year’s assessed tax, while January’s payment equals one third. Companies must settle any outstanding balance by 30 April.
How Audits Proceed
The Gabonese Tax Code governs tax examinations. Although no specific selection rule determines which businesses undergo scrutiny, officials generally organise reviews around particular economic sectors. Inspections take place at the company’s headquarters or principal business premises.
Ordinarily, the process starts with a notice specifying when the inspection will begin. Officials then examine the company’s affairs and issue a reassessment notice outlining proposed adjustments.
The business has 20 days after receiving that notice to respond. On request, an extension may be granted, but it cannot exceed ten days. Once the taxpayer submits its response, the administration has 60 days from receipt to reply before the audit concludes.
Prior notice may be omitted exceptionally when officials discover concealed business activities alongside failures to meet filing and payment obligations.
Review Window
The authorities may audit taxes through the fourth year following the year in which the liability arose.
Areas Receiving Particular Attention
Reviews particularly examine whether management charges and other business expenses qualify for deduction. Officials also check withholding tax on payments to overseas service providers and whether companies have paid value added tax on behalf of third parties.