Corporate tax is calculated neither from the bank balance nor directly from sales. It starts from accounting profit, applies tax rules to reach fiscal result, then compares calculated tax with minimum mechanisms and prepayments already made.
The calculation chain
- Close the accounts.
- Add non-deductible expenses and adjustments.
- Deduct permitted products or differences.
- Apply the rate for the actual case.
- Compare the minimum contribution.
- Credit withholding and instalments, then file.
1. Bridge accounting to fiscal result
Take profit before corporate tax supported by the trial balance and build a line-by-line schedule. Add-backs increase the base; tax deductions reduce it. Track temporary differences so they are not adjusted twice next year.
| Illustrative line | Effect |
|---|---|
| Accounting profit before tax | starting point |
| Non-deductible expense | add-back |
| Disallowed provision | add-back and follow-up |
| Permitted exempt/already-taxed product | deduction under rule |
| Eligible loss carry-forward | offset under conditions |
| Fiscal result | base before rate |
Every line should identify account, evidence, rule, amount and future treatment. A total without detail is not a tax bridge.
2. Select the 2026 rate without shortcuts
For financial years opened from 2026, the CGI notably sets a 20% general rate, 35% for companies whose net fiscal profit reaches or exceeds MAD 100 million subject to stated exclusions, and 40% for listed banks, insurers and other financial entities.
- MAD 100 million refers to net fiscal profit, not turnover.
- Check exclusions from the 35% rate.
- Identify any special status or regime.
- Confirm opening date of the financial year.
- Archive rate reasoning with the return.
An ordinary small company does not choose among rates. Its profile and base determine the answer.
3. Settle with minimum and prepayments
Calculate tax on fiscal result, then the applicable minimum contribution. Determine the amount due under the rules before crediting withholding and four corporate-tax instalments paid.
- Calculate profit tax.
- Calculate minimum contribution and any exemption.
- Identify tax payable.
- Credit eligible withholding.
- Credit instalments.
- Determine balance or excess.
Instalments are not new expenses: they prepay the period’s tax and must reconcile at settlement.
Never apply the rate to turnover
An example must show fiscal base, rate, minimum, credits and instalments. ‘Sales × 20%’ is wrong.
4. File within three months
CGI article 20 requires the fiscal-result return within three months after closing. Prepare statements, tax bridge, required schedules, credit evidence and corresponding payment proof.
- Internal D-30: balance and evidence closed
- D-20: tax bridge reviewed
- D-10: return and payment approved
- Filing: timestamped acknowledgement
- After filing: reconciliation and archived file
BelloPOS can supply recorded sales, credits, payments and stock movements. Those totals must reach accounting before fiscal calculation.
Mistakes to avoid
- Starting from bank cash.
- Applying 20% to turnover.
- Reading the threshold as revenue.
- Mixing tax expense and instalment.
- Adding back a temporary difference twice.
- Filing without credit evidence.
- Treating three months as exactly 90 days.
Frequently asked questions
What is the general 2026 corporate-tax rate?
The general rate is 20% for years opened from 2026, subject to specific rates and regimes in the CGI.
When does 35% apply?
Notably when net fiscal profit reaches or exceeds MAD 100 million, subject to CGI exclusions.
Is corporate tax calculated on sales?
No. It applies to fiscal result; the minimum contribution is tested separately.
When is the return due?
Within three months after closing under article 20.
Does BelloPOS calculate corporate tax?
No. It supplies sales data to reconcile with accounts and the tax bridge.
What to take away
Corporate-tax calculation is controllable when it follows one path: closed accounts, detailed bridge, justified rate, tested minimum, reconciled credits and archived filing.
Sources
The figures and rules quoted above come from these pages, read on the date given in the article.
Secure source revenue
Export recorded sales, returns, payments and taxes, then reconcile them with the accounts before the tax package.
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