Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority clarifies heirs’ responsibility for deceased’s tax dues

The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority in Saudi Arabia has issued a clarification regarding the responsibility of heirs for the tax dues of a deceased individual. According to the authority, it is the duty of the heirs to settle any outstanding dues and obligations owed by the deceased to the authority.

The authority explained this through its "Ask Zakat, Tax and Customs" account on X, a popular social media platform. They specifically mentioned that if a commercial registration is canceled, it is the responsibility of the heirs to deactivate the taxpayer number. This deactivation should only be done after confirming that there are no active records linked to the deceased from other parties.

To deactivate the taxpayer number, the heirs must submit an electronic request through the same online platform. The process involves logging into the taxpayer's account, navigating to "Zakat and Tax Management," then "Other Services," and finally choosing "Deactivate Taxpayer Number/Branch." After creating a new request, the heirs must specify the type of deactivation as "Deactivate Taxpayer Number," select the reason for deactivation, and attach all necessary documents to complete the request.

This clarification was made in response to an inquiry from a follower whose late sister was still receiving messages demanding payment of a 500 riyals fee. The follower wondered if it was possible to request an exemption from these dues. The authority's response provides clear guidance on how the heirs can address this issue and ensure that all financial obligations are settled appropriately.