Key takeaway: Article 11 of the CGI prohibits the deduction of certain expenses from taxable income, even if they are recorded in the accounts. The most common errors — cash payments above thresholds, fines, invoices without IF/ICE — expose the company to add-backs and surcharges of up to 30% of the reassessed amount. Here are the 10 pitfalls to avoid.
Why Certain Expenses Are Not Deductible
The principle of expense deductibility for IS purposes is set out in Article 10 of the CGI: any expense incurred in the interest of the business and supported by proper documentation is, in principle, deductible. However, Article 11 provides an exhaustive list of expenses expressly excluded from deduction, regardless of the circumstances.
Ignorance of these exclusions is one of the main sources of tax reassessment in Morocco. Here are the 10 most frequent errors found during tax audits.
The 10 Most Common Non-Deductible Expenses
1. Fines, Penalties, and Surcharges
All fines and penalties — tax, customs, criminal, or administrative — are non-deductible (Art. 11-I). This includes late-payment surcharges, traffic fines, CNSS penalties, and DGSN fines.
Common mistake: recording CNSS late-payment penalties as deductible expenses.
2. Cash Payments Exceeding Thresholds
Expenses paid in cash are not deductible when they exceed:
- MAD 5,000 per day per supplier
- MAD 50,000 per month per supplier
Double penalty (Art. 11-II): not only is the expense added back, but it also triggers a 6% fine on the cash amount exceeding the threshold. This provision aims to combat the informal economy and money laundering.
Common mistake: splitting cash payments over several days to stay under the daily threshold while exceeding the monthly one.
3. Invoices Without Tax ID (IF) and ICE
Since the 2018 Finance Act, invoices lacking the supplier’s tax identification number (IF) and ICE number are not accepted as supporting documents for deductible expenses. The corresponding expense must be added back.
Common mistake: accepting invoices from informal providers without verifying the IF and ICE.
4. The IS Itself
Corporate tax is never deductible from its own base (Art. 11-III). While this seems obvious, errors sometimes occur in the accounting treatment of IS provisions or adjustment entries.
5. Social Solidarity Contribution (CSS)
The CSS, introduced by the 2021 Finance Act and extended, is expressly non-deductible from taxable income (Art. 11-IV). It applies to companies with net profit ≥ MAD 1M.
Common mistake: deducting the CSS as a standard tax expense.
6. Gifts and Unauthorised Donations
Gifts — donations, subsidies, financial aid to third parties without consideration — are not deductible unless they fall within the scope of donations to social works exhaustively listed in Article 10-I-B-2° (donations to associations recognised as being of public utility, Habous, National Mutual Aid, etc.).
Common mistake: deducting donations to associations not recognised as being of public utility.
7. Promotional Gifts > MAD 100 Without Branding
Customer gifts with a unit value exceeding MAD 100 that do not bear the company name or logo are not deductible (Art. 11-I).
Common mistake: offering year-end gifts without branding and recording them as deductible expenses.
8. Vehicle Depreciation > MAD 400,000 (Tax-Inclusive)
The depreciable base for passenger vehicles is capped at MAD 400,000 tax-inclusive (Art. 10-I-F-1°, amended by the 2025 Finance Act). Excess depreciation is not deductible.
Example: for a vehicle acquired at MAD 600,000 (TI), depreciated over 5 years on a straight-line basis, only the allowance calculated on MAD 400,000 is deductible — MAD 80,000/year instead of MAD 120,000/year. The annual add-back is MAD 40,000.
9. Provisions Without Legal Action Within 12 Months
Provisions for doubtful receivables are only deductible if legal proceedings have been initiated within 12 months of the provision being set up (Art. 10-I-F-2°). Otherwise, the provision must be added back.
Common mistake: setting up provisions for old receivables without initiating legal action, hoping for an amicable settlement.
10. Unrecorded Depreciation = Permanent Loss
Depreciation not recorded in the accounts for the fiscal year to which it relates constitutes a permanent loss for the company (Art. 10-I-F-1°). It cannot be recovered in a subsequent year. This rule, specific to Moroccan tax law, prohibits the recovery of deferred depreciation.
Common mistake: omitting the depreciation charge for an asset during one year and attempting to catch up the following year with a double charge.
Summary of Add-Backs
| Non-Deductible Expense | Legal Basis | Additional Sanction |
|---|---|---|
| Fines and penalties | Art. 11-I | — |
| Cash > MAD 5K/day or 50K/month | Art. 11-II | 6% fine |
| Invoices without IF/ICE | Art. 11-I | — |
| IS | Art. 11-III | — |
| CSS | Art. 11-IV | — |
| Unauthorised donations | Art. 11-I | — |
| Gifts > MAD 100 without branding | Art. 11-I | — |
| Vehicles > MAD 400K TI | Art. 10-I-F-1° | — |
| Provisions without legal action 12 months | Art. 10-I-F-2° | — |
| Unrecorded depreciation | Art. 10-I-F-1° | Permanent loss |
For a comprehensive audit of your deductible and non-deductible expenses, our tax advisory team carries out a preventive review before your fiscal year-end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are late-payment penalties on supplier debts deductible?
No. All penalties, including contractual late-payment penalties, are considered non-deductible expenses under Art. 11-I of the CGI. Only contractual late-payment interest of a commercial nature (not punitive) may, under certain conditions, be accepted.
Can travel expenses paid in cash be deducted?
Yes, provided the thresholds of MAD 5,000/day and MAD 50,000/month per supplier are respected. Beyond these limits, the expense is added back and the 6% fine applies. It is recommended to use bank transfers or crossed cheques.
How do I correct a non-deductible expense already recorded?
The expense remains in the accounts but must be added back on the taxable income reconciliation schedule (Form No. 3 of the tax return). There is no need to modify the accounting entry: the adjustment is purely extra-accounting.
Legal references:
- General Tax Code 2026 (PDF) — Art. 11 (non-deductible expenses), Art. 10-I-F (depreciation and provisions)
- Circular Note No. 735 — Commentary on 2026 Finance Act
- Circular Note No. 731 — Clarifications on cash thresholds
READ ALSO:
- Corporate Tax Rates Morocco 2026
- Taxable Income: From Accounting Profit to Tax Base
- Tax Depreciation in Morocco
- Deductible Provisions: Conditions and Risks
- Deductible Expenses for IS in Morocco
- Tax Audit in Morocco: Preparation Checklist
Need help securing your deductible expenses? Contact Upsilon Consulting, a chartered accountancy firm in Casablanca, for a preventive audit of your tax return.
