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Reading: What is Ethics?

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Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Somaliland
Professional Orientation Guide
Corporate & Business Law · Taxation
CPA Somaliland Membership Orientation · Section 13

Quick Reference - Tax Rates & Key Dates

13. QUICK REFERENCE - TAX RATES & KEY DATES

Domestic Tax Rate Summary

Tax Base Tax % Admin % Stamp % Effective %
Payroll (PAYE) Gross employment income 5% - 1% 6%
Rental Income (Individual) Gross rental income 10% 2% 2.5% of (tax+admin) ~12.3%
Business Income Chargeable income 10% 2% 2.5% of (tax+admin) ~12.3%
GST Taxable consideration 5% - - 5%
Withholding (non-resident) Gross international payment 10% 2% 2.5% ~12.3%
Excise (tobacco) Value of tobacco products 50% - - 50%

Key Filing Dates Summary

Tax / Obligation Due Date
Business Income Tax return (Dec year-end) 30 April
Individual Rental Income Tax 30 April
Payroll Tax (PAYE) - monthly remittance 15th of following month
GST return and payment 21st of following month
Provisional Tax - Corporate (instalment 1) 30 June
Provisional Tax - Corporate (instalment 2) 31 December
Provisional Tax - Individual (quarterly) 31 Mar / 30 Jun / 30 Sep / 31 Dec
Objection to assessment Within 30 days of notice
Penalty interest on overdue tax 2% per month from due date
Record retention minimum period 5 years from end of year of income

Capital Allowance - Initial & Annual Rate Summary

Category Initial Allowance Annual Rate & Method
Eligible plant & machinery - Hargeisa 50% of cost (yr 1 only) Reducing balance on remaining WDV
Eligible plant & machinery - Outside Hargeisa 75% of cost (yr 1 only) Reducing balance on remaining WDV
Computers & data handling (Class 1) 50%/75% if eligible 40% reducing balance
Vehicles, construction (Class 2) None (transport vehicles excluded) 35% reducing balance
Buses ≥30 seats; heavy goods; farm/mining plant (Class 3) 50%/75% if eligible plant 30% reducing balance
Office furniture; aircraft; vessels; other (Class 4) 50%/75% if eligible 20% reducing balance
Industrial Buildings - Annual N/A 5% straight-line
Industrial Buildings - Initial 20% of qualifying cost Applied in year building first in use
Small equipment (< $5,000) 100% immediate deduction No capital allowance applies
REMINDER Transport vehicles (goods vehicles, buses, passenger cars) DO NOT qualify for the initial allowance - only for annual allowances.
ICPAS Professional Orientation Guide · For IFAC Qualified Accountants Applying for Direct Admission to CPA Somaliland Membership · 2026 Edition
Professional Ethics

Definition of Ethics

Ethics helps professional accountants decide what is right, fair, and responsible, especially when laws or rules alone do not provide a complete answer.

What is ethics?

Ethics refers to the principles and values that guide behaviour and help individuals determine what is right or wrong.

Ethics influences decisions in situations where laws, rules, or written procedures are insufficient. In accounting, ethics helps professionals apply judgement, act in the public interest, and protect trust in financial information.

Examples of ethical behaviour

Honesty Reporting financial information truthfully and without misleading users.
Avoiding conflicts of interest Not allowing personal interests to influence professional judgement.
Confidentiality Protecting financial and business information obtained through professional work.
Fairness Acting fairly toward stakeholders, including clients, employers, investors, creditors, regulators, and the public.

Law vs Ethics

Law and ethics are related, but they are not the same. Something may be legal but still unethical. Professional accountants are expected to comply with the law and also uphold ethical principles.

Law Ethics
Rules established by governments. Moral principles guiding behaviour.
Mandatory and enforceable by legal authorities. Voluntary in nature, but expected from professionals.
Violation may lead to legal penalties, fines, or imprisonment. Violation may lead to professional consequences, loss of trust, disciplinary action, or reputational damage.
Key message: Professional accountants should not ask only, “Is it legal?” They should also ask, “Is it ethical, fair, transparent, and in the public interest?”



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