Zain CEO says will contest Zakat, tax amounts

Zain Saudi will contest a request issued from the Department of Zakat and Income Tax for an additional SAR 619 million in Zakat and taxes as the amount did not match the company’s assessments, said Hassan Qabani, chief executive of Zain Saudi.

Qabani told Al-Arabiya TV Channel that such mistakes are common and he expects this to be adjusted in the near future.

The country’s third mobile operator had earlier said it had paid the Zakat and tax on time based on the calculation of external auditors.

Under federal law, firms have the right to object to DZIT's assessment within 60 days from the receipt date of the official letter.