The new value-added tax - imposed by the Saudi authorities on a wide range of consumer goods, including communications and infant formula - has cast a shadow over the Saudi citizen, who is facing multiple economic crises.

A video circulated on social media, spread to a citizen complaining that the authorities imposed a 15% tax on infant formula.

# Added even baby formula God's tax pic.twitter.com/5PISpEcubm

- Abu Elaf Al-Juhani (@ Ij9rY) July 1, 2020

The decision to increase the value-added tax in Saudi Arabia from 5% to 15% came into effect on Wednesday, in the midst of austerity campaign caused by declining oil prices and closures linked to the emerging Corona virus.

Saudi Arabia has been able to fund huge projects and expenditures without any taxes for decades, but the collapse in oil prices starting in 2014 forced it to change its strategy.

After the clip spread, one of the tweeters on Twitter asked the "Customer Care in Saudi Arabia" organization about the reality of imposing a tax on infant formula, so the government agency replied, "Dear Customer, all goods are subject to VAT if they are sold by a person registered in the VAT system , And infant formula is subject to VAT. "

Peace be upon you,
dear customer, all goods are subject to value-added tax if they are sold by a person registered in the value-added tax system, and infant formula is subject to value-added tax.
We are pleased to rate you: https://t.co/30tyLZa9gA

Customer Care (@Gazt_Care) July 1, 2020

And Saudi Telecom has announced on Twitter that it will raise the value-added tax from 5% to 15% on all its products and services, starting from July 1, 2020, and implement the new tax on upcoming bills.

Saudi Telecom stc: The value-added tax # will be raised from 5% to 15% on all our products and services, starting from July 1, 2020, and applying the new tax to upcoming bills. pic.twitter.com/l5GdKjQfUS

- The regions newspaper (@AlMnatiq) June 25, 2020

The new tax increase came in contradiction to the statements of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2018, in which he confirmed - after the imposition of a 5% value-added tax - that the country would not impose any new taxes until 2030.

Crown Prince: No new taxes until 2030..and a great deal in two weeks

Our security and the originality of our existence .. "Unbelievable Facts" # Meeting_Prince_Evidence_With_Bloomberg pic.twitter.com/SOeLhdYnXB

- Abdulrahman Almansor (@aam_almansour) October 5, 2018

Activists criticized the policies of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after the decision to raise the value-added tax in the Kingdom, stressing that the economic situation in the country has become very bad.

Moghradoun said that Bin Salman came to destroy Saudi Arabia, and they recalled his statements in which he stated that there would be no increase in taxes until 2030, and indicated that he had broken his promises.

Moghradoun wondered what Muhammad bin Salman has done since he assumed the position of Crown Prince until now for the nation and citizens? Stressing that Saudi Arabia deserves the best.

Several commentators have also called for the decision to postpone raising the tax and reconsidering its rate, due to the economic effects of the Corona virus pandemic.

Moderators repeated a clip of the journalist writer, Saleh Al-Shehhi, commenting on the citizen’s difficult economic conditions and the insufficiency of the salary, amid large inflation, calling for solutions that contribute to alleviating him, pointing out that no voice was issued by officials who object to this decision.

# The salary is not enough. The need is whiskey. # MPS_ is a liar. Like his father. Against the displacement of Al-Huwaytat
two years ago. A question from the day MPS announced that no taxes were imposed. How much tax was imposed and fees increased for
your country? Https://t.co/JcL6wTpwsY

- Nasser (@ Nasser22820844) June 29, 2020

It became clear that #Mohammed bin Salman came to destroy #Saudi Arabia

What remains of Saudi Arabia's religious and political standing?
What remains of a political, religious, moral, historical and media balance that he did not destroy?

What did he do since assuming the position of Crown Prince until now for the homeland and citizens?

Increasing taxes and high unemployment rates ...

🌐 Bin Mana (@binmana_) June 23, 2020

Saudi Arabia deserves the best ❤️❤️🇸🇦🇸🇦

The current political situation is absolutely unhealthy.

Alia al-Hathloul (@alia_ww) June 26, 2020

Originally, the situation is very dangerous. Muhammad bin Salman, the people’s poverty. Suction of their money, and a tax on them of 15 per cent. The one who thinks is nothing but a living, and the daughters of Saudi Arabia go to sleep when they work with bars. Wow… When people understand, there must be a word to the people… enough bin Salman

- Malfi Bin Faleh (@czccci) June 26, 2020

#Value_valuation_ tax is limited to non-retired people who suffer from twenty years of service and retired at 3,000 thousand riyals

- hessah (@ hessah69576250) June 27, 2020

# Tax_value_value.
Prices have multiplied 20 times from 30 years, and the salaries are the same .. Realistic talk, and I feel that at a time when the middle class is wiped out and society becomes either rich or poor with the situation, this is a lot of people suffering and retirees who leave for them 3000 a month, which is less than I say, but God be With the help of 'pic.twitter.com/StKVMtAOwJ

- 🀄️ (@ e7xXiep1rDpoe4r) June 28, 2020

Soon the government will impose on the citizen a "belonging tax"! # Value-added tax pic.twitter.com/O6FgJuSDMC

- Rights of the Vulnerable (@hukusfof) June 26, 2020

Then it has to be 15% at the beginning of July 🤦‍♂️
. # VALUE-VALUE TAX pw.tvitter.com/iVeAvxfVE8

- Rights of the Vulnerable (@hukusfof) June 26, 2020

# Postponement of
value-added tax: Random decisions always generate failure. Instead of encouraging the purchasing power of the citizen, this is reversed by raising the added value, which causes depression in the markets.
On the security and safety phases,
you see security and safety is not limited to street security, but also includes job security, residential and living security. pic.twitter.com/danQ3Ycsld

Account (@ bmshar27) June 28, 2020

Aljadaan 2016: There will be no taxes to be imposed on citizens.
2018 The government imposed a 5% value-added tax and promised them that there would be no taxes until 2030.
2020 The tax is raised to 15%.
The citizen was left in the promises of those who did not fear God in his people. # Postponement of the value-added tax pic.twitter.com/WTMjgT5FPI

- Issa bin Rabeeh (@ 3issaqtr) June 28, 2020

Dear Al-Mutbal, we, as a Saudi people, have the right to express our opinion on our financial rights, we all know the conditions of each of us, we are from the velvet class, most of whom are middle class and poor, and that 15% more harm to the citizen than its benefit other than the customs tax, we live with the power of our last day of the month.
# Postponement of value added tax pic.twitter.com/T8EuvE0cAK

- Al-Dahmi (@iliilxl) June 28, 2020

#Value_value tax

2030 The people will split two texts: the
text of the rich, and the text of the poor.

- لا لا ✨ (@ Lail_369) June 28, 2020

If your salary is 5000 riyals

After the value-added tax

Calculate your account that your salary is 4250 SAR pic.twitter.com/haOowCogEJ

- Saleh (@ saleh1268) June 26, 2020