IMF demands 18% sales tax on stationery

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has demanded the abolition of the existing 10 percent sales tax exemption on stationery.

According to sources, the Finance Bill 2026 is considering increasing the sales tax rate on stationery to 18 percent.

This move will make copies, registers, pens, pencils and other educational and office supplies expensive.

The government has prepared a proposal to implement the new tax rate from July 1, 2026 and the IMF has approved it.

With the tax burden on the stationery sector almost doubling, there is a possibility of increasing educational and office expenses. The government is moving towards limiting tax exemptions in the Budget 2026-27.