Low RiskFARtaxes

52.229-13Taxes—Foreign Contracts in Afghanistan.

Researched by the BidStride Research Team

What This Clause Requires

FAR 52.229-13 — Taxes—Foreign Contracts in Afghanistan.. This clause is part of the Federal Acquisition Regulation and may be included in government contracts as a solicitation provision or contract clause.

Official Regulation Text

52.229-13 Taxes—Foreign Contracts in Afghanistan. As prescribed in 29.402-4(a), use the following clause: Taxes—Foreign Contracts in Afghanistan (NOV 2021) (a) Definition. U.S. Forces, as used in this clause, means the entity comprising the members of the force and of the civilian component, and all property, equipment, and materiel of the United States Armed Forces present in the territory of Afghanistan. (b) Tax exemption. This acquisition is covered by the Security and Defense Cooperation Agreement (the Agreement) between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (Afghanistan) and the United States of America signed on September 30, 2014, and entered into force on January 1, 2015. (1) The Agreement exempts the United States Government, and its contractors and subcontractors (other than those that are Afghan legal entities or residents), from paying any tax or similar charge assessed by the Government of Afghanistan on activities associated with this contract within Afghanistan if the activities are on behalf of or in support of U.S. Forces. The Agreement also exempts the acquisition, importation, exportation, reexportation, transportation, and use of supplies and services in Afghanistan, on behalf of or in support of U.S. Forces, from any taxes, customs, duties, fees, or similar charges imposed by the Government of Afghanistan. (2) The Contractor shall exclude any Afghan taxes, customs, duties, fees, or similar charges from the contract price, other than those charged to Afghan legal entities or residents. (3) The Agreement does not exempt Afghan employees of Government contractors and subcontractors from Afghan tax laws. To the extent required by Afghan law, the Contractor shall withhold tax from the wages of these employees and remit those payments to the appropriate Afghan taxing authority. These withholdings are an individual's liability, not a tax against the Contractor. (c) Subcontracts. The Contractor shall include the substance of this clause, including this pa

Source: eCFR, 48 CFR 52.229-13 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-48/section-52.229-13)

Compliance Checklist

  • (2) The Contractor shall exclude any Afghan taxes, customs, duties, fees, or similar charges from the contract price, other than those charged to Afghan legal entities or residents.
  • To the extent required by Afghan law, the Contractor shall withhold tax from the wages of these employees and remit those payments to the appropriate Afghan taxing authority.
  • The Contractor shall include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (c), in all subcontracts including subcontracts for ccommercial products or commercial services.

Flow-Down to Subcontractors

Flow-down required

This clause must be included in subcontracts with no subcontractors where the subcontractor will perform work covered by this clause. Typically appears in contract Section Section I.

Frequently Asked Questions

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This summary is for informational purposes only and reflects the BidStride Research Team's plain-English interpretation of the regulation. It is not legal advice and does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. Always consult the official Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) or Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) text and qualified legal counsel for compliance decisions.