Iraq Oil Ministry Denies Tax on Private Generator Owners

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq’s Oil Ministry said private generator owners are not subject to any tax. Ministry spokesman Salim al-Rikabi said all fuel quotas allocated to private generators are distributed free of charge through branches of the Petroleum Products Distribution Company. The ministry allocates 20 litres of fuel per kilovolt-ampere to private generators, a quota that was increased to 45 litres during July and August to meet demand on peak-consumption days, al-Rikabi said. Al-Rikabi denied reports that the ministry had sought taxes retroactive to 2024. He said the authority to collect taxes rests with the General Tax Directorate under the Ministry of Finance, while the Oil Ministry is responsible only for providing generator fuel quotas. The monitoring and inspection of contractors’ operations fall under provincial councils, al-Rikabi said. He added that the implementation of the Generator Owners Association’s shutdown decision would not delay or disrupt fuel supplies, with distribution handled by the Petroleum Products Distribution Company.