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Self-Employed Tax in Morocco 2026: Revenue, IR, VAT, CPU

Updated on June 12, 202614 min read

By end-2025, Morocco counted 320,000 registered auto-entrepreneurs (AE). With 2026 caps (500,000 MAD for sales / 200,000 MAD for services), the CPU regime at 0.5%–1%, and a flat CNSS contribution of 144 MAD/month, this status remains the simplest tax route to launch a business. This guide details every rate, cap and filing procedure applicable in 2026.

1. 1. Auto-entrepreneur status in Morocco 2026

Launched in 2015, the auto-entrepreneur (AE) status passed the symbolic 320,000 registrations mark by end-2025, confirming its role in formalising Morocco's economy.

  • 320,000 registered AEs at end-2025 (Maroc PME / Barid Al-Maghrib)
  • Individual activity only (no company structure)
  • Free registration on ae.gov.ma then national registry at Barid Al-Maghrib
  • AE card valid 5 years, renewable

The AE status targets individuals carrying out commercial, industrial, artisanal or service activities on their own behalf. It offers an ultra-simplified tax and social framework: a single levy (the CPU) covers income tax, and a flat social contribution opens AMO Achamil health rights.

In 2026, the legislator confirmed the 2024 raised thresholds and introduced the mandatory new Social Professional Contribution (CPS), complementing CNSS to strengthen self-employed social coverage.

Good to know

AE status can be combined with salaried employment, unless the AE activity directly competes with your employer or your contract explicitly forbids it.

2. 2. 2026 revenue caps

Annual revenue caps determine both AE status retention and VAT exemption. They remain unchanged in 2026 compared to 2024-2025.

Activity type2026 revenue capVAT
Sale of goods500,000 MADExempt
Services200,000 MADExempt
Mixed (sales + services)500,000 MAD (max 200,000 in services)Exempt
Artisanal activities500,000 MADExempt

Exceeding the cap automatically triggers loss of AE status and a switch to the actual net result regime. The calculation is based on the full calendar year.

Watch for cap breaches

If you exceed the cap two consecutive years, you permanently lose AE status the following year. Plan ahead with a SARL or move to the actual regime.

3. 3. CPU regime: the Single Professional Contribution

The CPU is the cornerstone of the AE tax regime. It replaces IR, professional tax and minimum contribution with a single levy calculated on collected revenue.

Activity2026 CPU rateExample 100,000 MAD revenue
Sale of goods0.5 %500 MAD/year
Services1 %1,000 MAD/year
Artisanal0.5 %500 MAD/year
Industrial0.5 %500 MAD/year

The CPU integrates income tax (IR) and definitively frees the AE from accrual accounting obligations. Calculation is flat on gross collected revenue, with no expense deduction.

Concrete calculation example

A freelance graphic designer bills 180,000 MAD over 2026. Their revenue stays within the services cap (200,000 MAD). Annual CPU = 180,000 × 1% = 1,800 MAD. No further deduction, no business expense to justify.

4. 4. Self-employed VAT in 2026

As long as revenue stays under the caps, the AE is entirely outside the VAT scope.

  • No VAT return to file
  • Mandatory invoice mention: « VAT not applicable, art. 91 CGI »
  • VAT paid on purchases: not recoverable (becomes a cost)
  • Switch to VAT regime as soon as the cap is exceeded

The AE does not invoice VAT to clients and cannot recover VAT on purchases. Invoices must include the mandatory mention « VAT not applicable, art. 91 CGI ».

This exemption is a strong commercial advantage with consumers (B2C) but can be a drawback with professional clients (B2B) who cannot recover VAT.

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5. 5. Income tax (IR) included in the CPU

The AE files no separate IR return: the CPU acts as a final discharge of IR on activity revenue.

Lawmakers designed the CPU as a single, discharging tax. Once CPU is paid, AE activity revenue is no longer subject to the progressive IR brackets (reaching 38% above 180,000 MAD).

Concrete comparison: a consultant with 150,000 MAD revenue pays 1,500 MAD via CPU (1%) versus a potential 25,000 to 30,000 MAD under the actual regime after allowances.

Mixed-income case

If you combine salaried employment with AE activity, your salary remains subject to standard IR through employer withholding. Only AE revenue benefits from the discharging CPU.

6. 6. CNSS, AMO Achamil and CPS: 2026 social coverage

Since 2021, AEs enjoy health coverage through AMO Achamil in return for a flat monthly contribution.

2026 contributionAmountCoverage
Flat AE CNSS144 MAD/monthAMO Achamil (health)
CPS (new 2026)Variable (% income)Retirement + sick pay
Minimum monthly total≈ 144 MAD + CPSHealth + retirement
  • Mandatory affiliation upon AE registration
  • Monthly payment by direct debit or online
  • AMO Achamil: care, hospitalisation, medication reimbursement
  • Waiting period: 6 months of contributions before AMO rights open

The 2026 flat AE CNSS contribution remains set at 144 MAD/month (1,728 MAD/year). It opens AMO Achamil rights for the AE, spouse and dependent children.

In 2026, the new Social Professional Contribution (CPS) becomes mandatory for the self-employed. It complements CNSS to fund retirement and sickness allowances. Its amount is calculated on declared income.

7. 7. Quarterly filing on rc.gov.ma

The CPU is declared and paid each quarter via the official rc.gov.ma portal of the Tax Directorate (DGI).

QuarterRevenue periodFiling deadline
Q1January - March30 April
Q2April - June31 July
Q3July - September31 October
Q4October - December31 January N+1

Filing is mandatory even with no revenue (nil return). Late or missing filing triggers a 15% surcharge plus 5% per additional month of delay.

Keep your supporting documents

Although CPU is flat, keep invoices and bank statements for 10 years: the tax administration may audit declared revenue if a cap breach is suspected.

8. 8. Exceeding the cap: what to do?

Exceeding the cap has immediate consequences on the AE's tax and social status.

  • Year N: cap breach noted → AE retained until 31/12
  • Year N+1: actual regime + VAT registration
  • Mandatory accrual accounting
  • Annual IR return at progressive brackets (0% to 38%)
  • Recommended option: create a SARL or SARL-AU before the breach

As soon as the threshold is crossed (500,000 MAD sales or 200,000 MAD services), the AE moves to the simplified or actual net result regime from 1 January of the following year. CPU no longer applies, progressive IR and VAT become mandatory.

Plan the transition early

Above 400,000 MAD in services or 800,000 MAD in sales, a SARL becomes more advantageous (corporate tax 20%, real expense deduction, banking credibility).

9. 9. AE financing: consumer credit and supplementary health

AE status complicates access to bank credit: revenue deemed irregular, modest cap, no payslip.

  • AE consumer credit: 12-24 months of seniority required
  • Personal contribution often requested (10-20%)
  • Compare offers: gaps of up to 2% in APR
  • AE supplementary health: 150 to 400 MAD/month depending on coverage

Banks generally require 12 to 24 months of CPU filing history, professional bank statements and a minimum 60,000 MAD annual revenue to consider a consumer loan. Rates (8 to 10%) sit 1 to 2 points above those for permanent CDI employees.

On the health side, AMO Achamil covers essentials but with limited caps. A supplementary policy (Saham, Wafa Assurance, RMA) is strongly recommended to cover hospitalisation, optical and dental at fair pricing.

10. FAQ

Q.What are the 2026 auto-entrepreneur revenue caps?
500,000 MAD for sale of goods and industrial/artisanal activities, 200,000 MAD for services. Caps are unchanged since 2024.
Q.What is the CPU rate in 2026?
0.5% of revenue for sales, crafts and industry; 1% of revenue for services. CPU is discharging for IR.
Q.Does the auto-entrepreneur pay VAT in 2026?
No, the AE is fully exempt from VAT as long as revenue stays under the caps. They neither invoice VAT nor recover it on purchases.
Q.How much does CNSS cost for an auto-entrepreneur in 2026?
144 MAD per month (1,728 MAD/year) for the flat AE contribution, granting AMO Achamil rights. The new mandatory 2026 CPS adds on top.
Q.How do you file auto-entrepreneur revenue?
Filing is quarterly on rc.gov.ma, the DGI portal. Deadlines are 30 April, 31 July, 31 October and 31 January.
Q.What happens if I exceed the revenue cap?
You keep AE status until 31 December of the breach year, then switch on 1 January of the following year to the actual regime, with progressive IR and VAT registration.
Q.Does the AE file a separate IR return?
No, the CPU discharges IR on AE activity revenue. No separate IR return is required for this income.
Q.Can you combine salaried employment with auto-entrepreneur status?
Yes, unless an exclusivity clause in your contract or a competing activity prevents it. The salary remains taxed under standard IR, AE activity falls under CPU.
Q.Can an AE obtain a bank loan?
Yes, but under conditions: 12 to 24 months of CPU history, minimum 60,000 MAD annual revenue, and rates typically 1 to 2 points higher than for CDI employees.
Q.Is AMO Achamil enough for an AE's health needs?
AMO Achamil covers basic care and hospitalisation but with limited caps. A supplementary policy (150-400 MAD/month) is recommended for optical, dental and premium hospitalisation.

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