The mullahs of Iran, if granted the opportunity, appear poised to extend their taxation reach even to the very air people breathe. Their insatiable appetite for taxation knows no bounds, with virtually every aspect of life falling under their purview. Not even the private interactions of individuals on social media platforms are spared from their relentless taxation.
In a recent address, Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, a member of the regime’s so-called reformist faction, shed light on the oppressive tax burden shouldered by the populace: “This government and parliament have introduced over 20 new taxes and fees, encroaching on every facet of people’s lives.
“From property and rent to vehicles, financial transactions, utility bills, money transfers, administrative service fees, and even internet anti-filtering services—all subjected to taxation. Such cruelty stands unparalleled in our nation’s history and is rare even among the world’s most tax-laden countries.”
Confronted with this relentless assault, the people of Iran find themselves embroiled in a silent yet resolute struggle against the oppressive regime. They resort to various stratagems to evade the taxes imposed by what many perceive as one of Iran’s most corrupt regimes in modern history.
Consequently, a clandestine battle rages between the populace and their oppressive rulers, with individuals seeking ways to conduct essential transactions without succumbing to the regime’s tax machinations.
Reports suggest that one tactic employed to circumvent the tax regime involves conducting transactions through direct card-to-card transfers rather than utilizing ATMs. By predominantly dealing in cash, individuals and businesses hope to evade the regime’s tax net.
In response, regime-affiliated banks, aided by government officials, endeavor to minimize cash circulation, thereby incentivizing card-based transactions and ATM usage to facilitate tax collection. Since 2007, ATM withdrawal limits have been capped at 200,000 tomans, further nudging citizens toward electronic transactions.
Tax evasion remains rampant in Iran, exacerbated by significant tax exemptions enjoyed by governmental entities. The burden of taxation disproportionately falls on salaried workers, while the government resorts to unconventional tax collection methods, such as scrutinizing accounts with transactions exceeding declared amounts.
While the regime rationalizes such measures as necessary amid economic challenges, including dwindling oil revenues and soaring inflation, the populace bears the brunt. Heightened taxation, coupled with rising living costs, exerts immense pressure on various segments of society.
Despite promises to shield the populace from the adverse effects of sanctions and reliance on oil revenues, successive Iranian governments have failed to deliver. Instead, the regime resorts to raising taxes, selling state assets, and expanding tax bases, further straining an already burdened populace.
In contrast to advanced nations where taxation is balanced with robust public services, the Iranian regime fails to provide commensurate benefits. Amid domestic mismanagement and international isolation, Iran’s once-thriving production sector has stagnated, exacerbating poverty and unemployment.
As taxation continues to escalate, the burden on Iranians—already struggling to make ends meet—becomes unbearable. With inflation soaring and prices skyrocketing, the specter of bankruptcy looms over small and medium enterprises, further exacerbating unemployment and economic distress.
In essence, the Iranian people find themselves trapped in a vicious cycle of taxation and economic hardship, with little respite in sight. As the regime persists in its oppressive taxation policies, the plight of the Iranian populace grows ever more dire, underscoring the urgent need for substantive reform and relief.
