The “mud tax” could be suspended for another year: The House Planning and Budget Committee has approved a draft bill from the government to extend the suspension of the 14% tax on agricultural land (known as “mud tax”) for an additional year to July 2023, Hapi Journal reported.

Why the extension? The decision aims to “alleviate tax burdens on those working in the agricultural sector and to encourage them to boost agricultural production,” Rep. Yasser Omar, the deputy head of the committee, said. The suspension was set to expire in July 2022.

Background: The House approved in 2020 a two-year suspension of the 14% tax, extending an existing three-year suspension approved in 2017 under efforts by the state to support farmers through the covid-19 crisis.

ALSO YESTERDAY- The House gave its final approval to a draft law organizing Hajj trips and setting up an online Hajj portal, Ahram Gate reports. Would-be pilgrims will be able to use the portal to apply for travel visas to Saudi Arabia to undertake the pilgrimage. Travelers’ data will be available on the portal, with each person assigned a code number to be stamped on their passport.