Yes, if you earn commercial, industrial, or freelance income in Egypt, it is subject to Egyptian income tax under Article 6 and Article 19 of Income Tax Law No. 91 of 2005. Taxable business income includes profits from commercial and industrial establishments, professional freelance work, and even artisan or small enterprise activities. Under Article 17, your taxable profit is calculated based on revenues from all relevant operations minus allowable business expenses.
For expats running a business or freelancing in Egypt, the key question is whether you have a permanent establishment in the country. Article 4 defines a permanent establishment as any fixed place of business through which a non-resident conducts some or all of their activities in Egypt. If you operate from a fixed office, workshop, or even a co-working space on a regular basis, you may be considered to have a permanent establishment and therefore have Egyptian tax obligations on that income.
Even if you are a non-resident, Article 3 makes clear that income from services rendered inside Egypt — including freelance work performed physically in Egypt — is considered Egyptian-source income and is taxable. The tax is calculated on a fiscal year basis (1 January to 31 December) per Article 5. For small enterprises, Article 18 notes that simplified tax accounting rules may apply under a Minister's decree, which could reduce administrative burden.
If you are freelancing or running a business in Egypt, it is strongly advisable to register with the Egyptian Tax Authority, maintain proper financial records, and file annual tax returns to remain compliant and avoid penalties.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, consult a lawyer licensed in Egypt.