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Cairo digital nomad guide

Overview Economics Demographics Politics Environment Cities Map Jobs Visas Taxes Groups
Nomad score 6.0/10

30.0444, 31.2357 Africa/Cairo #242

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Researched Updated Oct 22, 2026 Last changed Oct 31, 2026 About guide entries

Essentials

City
Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt, the national capital on the Nile. 1
Population
The city has more than 9.8 million people. Greater Cairo, the metropolitan area, has over 22 million. 1
Internet Speed
Ookla median for Cairo in September 2026 was 92.10 Mbps fixed download (24.21 Mbps upload, 9 ms latency) and 53.35 Mbps mobile download. 2
Currency & Banking
Egyptian pound (EGP). Central Bank sell rate 54.0197 EGP per US dollar on 19 October 2026 (buy 53.8803). Declare foreign currency over USD 10,000. The limit for Egyptian pounds carried in or out is EGP 5,000. 3 4
Tap Water
Visitors usually drink bottled water. A large bottle is about EGP 10 to 20. Skip ice in drinks. 5
Power
220 V, 50 Hz, plug types C and F. 6
SIM Card
WE Mobile Egypt tourist lines need a passport. Mobile Egypt 100 is EGP 100 before tax for 5,000 MB, 60 local minutes and 20 international minutes, for 30 days. On an Orange line, GO @ Home adds 1,000 MB for EGP 15 for 28 days (dial #222*41#). Airport and city kiosks sell SIMs. 5 7 8
Accommodation
Dahab Hostel, 26 Mahmoud Bassiouny Street at Talaat Harb Square, lists a mixed six-bed dorm at EGP 600 a night and a shared-bath single at EGP 900. Hotels are also grouped by district, including pyramid-side stays in Giza. 5 10
Cashless Friendly
Mixed. Uber, inDrive and Careem, plus the metro stored-value card, cover many trips. Street food, juice stalls and bargaining in Khan el-Khalili are cash. 5 11 12 13
Short Term Rentals
Dahab Hostel dorm beds start at EGP 600 a night downtown. District hotel lists cover longer tourist stays. No single long-stay portal was confirmed on a page opened for this pass. 5 10
Budget Accommodation
Dahab Hostel, 26 Mahmoud Bassiouny Street, Talaat Harb Square: mixed six-bed dorm EGP 600 a night on the official rate card. 10
Best Area to Stay for Tourists
Downtown around Tahrir Square for the Egyptian Museum and hotels, Zamalek on Gezira, and Islamic Cairo for the Citadel and Khan el-Khalili. 5
Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
Maadi, south of the centre, is the quieter district with many foreign residents. Nasr City is where the priced Respace desk sits. New Cairo is the newer eastern residential market. 5 9 24

Working and Networking

Best Coworking Space
Respace, 73 Abou Dawoud El Zahery Street, Nasr City. Shared-area desk EGP 1,900 a month. Plus (desk, locker and a daily hot drink) EGP 2,800 a month. 9
Best Cafe for Work
Beanos and Cilantro are citywide chains with espresso, light meals and wireless internet. 5

Transportation

Best Taxi/Ride App
Uber in the Egypt app, and inDrive, which lists Cairo and lets you offer a fare. Careem is the other app locals are pointed to. These are preferable to street taxis. 5 11 12
Bike/Scooter Rental
Cairo Bike is a small bike-share scheme. City cycling is generally unsafe. Wadi Degla, near Maadi, is the named place for a bike ride. 5
Best Beach Nearby
Ain Sokhna is the closest Red Sea resort and is done as a day trip by hired taxi. 5
Top Regional Airline
Air Cairo, flying from Cairo International Airport, lists Alexandria (Borg El Arab), Hurghada, Luxor, Sharm El Sheikh, Aswan, Amman, Jeddah and Dubai. Some domestic legs are marked as EgyptAir codeshares. 14
Top International Airline
Cairo International Airport (CAI) in Heliopolis is the hub for EgyptAir, the flag carrier, and also for Nile Air. Air Cairo publishes Cairo flights to Europe and the Gulf, including Istanbul and Dubai. 5 14 41
Highway Access
Regional Ring Road, the 26th of July Corridor, the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road and the Suez Road. Cairo Gate sits near the Suez Road interchange. 24
Main Train/Transit Hub
Ramses Railway Station (Mahattat Ramses) at Midan Ramses, beside Shohadaa metro. Almost all Egyptian National Railways trains start or end here. 5 33
Public Transport Passes
Metro singles are EGP 10 (up to 9 stations), 12 (16), 15 (23) and 20 (up to 39). Public monthly passes are EGP 390 for one zone, 440 for two, 510 for three or four, and 600 for five or six. A reusable ticket card costs EGP 80. 13
Regional Travel
Trains leave Ramses. Alexandria is about 2.5 hours by train. Air Cairo flies Cairo to Borg El Arab, Hurghada, Luxor and Sharm El Sheikh. Buses use Cairo Gateway and the High Jet stand behind Ramses (Hurghada and Sharm, about 6 to 7 hours). 5 14

Health and Wellness

Best Hospital
As-Salam International Hospital in Maadi (Alameda) has an international-patients desk for expats and hotline 19885. Dar El Fouad in 6th of October City is the other hospital named for travellers. Ambulance is 123. 5 16 32 34

Food and Drink

Best Food Delivery App
Talabat delivers restaurant meals, groceries and pharmacy orders in Cairo. 17
Best Local Dish to Try
Koshari (rice, macaroni, lentils, chickpeas and tomato sauce). Downtown has many koshari shops, including the Koshari Tahrir chain. Gad outlets sell ful, falafel and shawarma. 5
Vegan/Vegetarian Options
Koshari, as served in the downtown shops, is a plant-based plate. Gad also sells ful and falafel. 5
Best Dessert Spots
Pastry and cafe chains with wifi include Cinnabon, The Bakery and Coffee Roastery, and Cilantro. 5
Affordable Shopping Spots
Khan el-Khalili for crafts, with haggling. Hyper One on the Sheikh Zayed strip for everyday shopping. 5 24
Grocery Delivery
Breadfast delivers groceries, bakery goods and household items to most of Cairo and Giza, 24 hours. Talabat also lists grocery delivery in Cairo. 17 18
Bar/Nightlife Area
Upscale nightspots cluster in and around Zamalek. Downtown has the less formal bars. Many large hotels have bars that serve alcohol. 5
Street Food Stalls
Koshari stalls downtown, and Gad outlets for ful, falafel and shawarma. 5
Popular International Cuisine
Talabat groups Italian, Chinese and Indian among cuisines delivered in Cairo. Higher-end non-Egyptian restaurants are often inside hotels and on Nile boats. 5 17

Culture and Attractions

Must-See Landmarks
Giza Plateau (the pyramids and the Sphinx). A foreign adult area ticket is EGP 700 and a student ticket EGP 350. That ticket does not include the inside of the pyramids. The Citadel and the Mosque of Mohamed Ali are in Islamic Cairo. 5 15
Museums & Art Venues
Grand Egyptian Museum, El Remayah Square on the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road in Giza, about 2 km northwest of the pyramids, open 09:00-18:00 and until 21:00 on Wednesday and Saturday. The Egyptian Museum at Tahrir is still there, but much of the collection moved to the GEM in 2022. The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization is on Fustat Street in Old Cairo. 5 38 45
Historical Sites
Historic Cairo, UNESCO-listed since 1979, is the Islamic city founded in the 10th century. Coptic Cairo in Old Cairo includes the Hanging Church on Mohammed Ismail Street. 5 19 44
Religious Sites
Al-Azhar Mosque, the Mosque of Mohamed Ali at the Citadel, and the Hanging Church in Coptic Cairo. 5 44
Annual Events
Cairo International Film Festival, 47th edition, runs 11 to 20 November 2026 and is based at the Cairo Opera House. 21
Cultural Districts
Islamic Cairo (the UNESCO historic city), with Khan el-Khalili and the Citadel. Gezira holds the Cairo Opera House, and Zamalek is the upmarket island district next to it. 5 19 35
Theater Venues
Cairo Opera House on Tahrir Street, Gezira. El Sawy Culturewheel, at the end of 26th of July Street in Zamalek, lists concerts through late October 2026. 22 35
Local Markets
Khan el-Khalili, the historic bazaar in Islamic Cairo. 5 36
Music Scene
Cairo Jazz Club, 197 26th of July Street, Agouza, for live music and a bar. El Sawy Culturewheel in Zamalek for concerts. 5 22 23 37
Historic Buildings
The Citadel in Islamic Cairo, begun under Salah al-Din. Cairo Tower stands on Gezira. Historic Cairo holds monuments from the 7th to the 20th century. 5 19 43
Local Heritage
The Al Tanura troupe gives free shows on Saturday, Monday and Wednesday at 20:30 (19:30 in winter) at the Al-Ghouri complex near Khan el-Khalili. Wekalet al-Ghuri is on Hammam al-Masbagha in al-Ghuriya. 5 42

Nature and Outdoor Activities

Nearby Nature Escapes
Al-Azhar Park, a landscaped garden looking over the Citadel. Wadi Degla Protectorate, about 60 square km near Maadi, for walking, climbing and cycling. 5 39 40
National Parks Nearby
Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley) is a UNESCO site inside Wadi El-Rayan Protected Area, in Faiyum Governorate in the Western Desert, not inside the city. Fayoum is treated as a day trip from Cairo. 5 20
Cycling/Walking Paths
City cycling is generally unsafe. Cairo Bike is a small share scheme, and Wadi Degla is the named cycling spot. Al-Azhar Park and the Gezira and Zamalek side of the river are the calmer walks. 5
Scenic Viewpoints
Al-Azhar Park looks over Islamic Cairo and the skyline. Cairo Tower is on Gezira. 5 43
Birdwatching Locations
Wadi Degla Protectorate, near Maadi, which is also named for reptiles, plants and deer. 5 40

Other Services and Amenities

Parcel Delivery Service
Uber Egypt offers same-day local delivery of small items. inDrive lists a delivery service and names Cairo among its Egyptian cities. 11 12

Business

Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
New Cairo apartments were about EGP 18,000 to 38,000 per square metre in 2026 (Proplix, more than 1,467 listings, updated January 2026). A 40 m2 unit is about EGP 720,000 to 1,520,000. Sheikh Zayed was about EGP 15,000 to 32,000 per square metre (about EGP 600,000 to 1,280,000 for 40 m2). The listing set is not split by studio, one-bedroom or two-bedroom. 24
1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
Same 2026 bands. A 70 m2 apartment in New Cairo is about EGP 1,260,000 to 2,660,000 (EGP 18,000 to 38,000 per square metre). In Sheikh Zayed, about EGP 1,050,000 to 2,240,000 (EGP 15,000 to 32,000 per square metre). 24
2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
Same 2026 bands. A 100 m2 apartment in New Cairo is about EGP 1,800,000 to 3,800,000. In Sheikh Zayed, about EGP 1,500,000 to 3,200,000. 24
Corporate Tax
22.5% on net taxable profits. Oil exploration profits are taxed at 40.55%. The Suez Canal Authority, the Egyptian Petroleum Authority and the Central Bank are taxed at 40%. There is no governorate corporate income tax. 27
Dividend Withholding Tax
10% on dividends from shares not listed on the EGX, and 5% on EGX-listed shares, for non-resident corporate shareholders. Resident companies are also at 10% or 5%. A tax treaty can lower the rate. 28
Tax System
A person is resident with a permanent home in Egypt, or more than 183 days in any 12 months, or as an Egyptian paid from the Egyptian treasury while posted abroad. Egypt-source income is taxed. Foreign income is taxed when Egypt is the centre of the person's commercial, industrial or professional activity. The annual salary exemption is EGP 20,000. 25 26
Highest Income Tax Bracket
27.5% on earned income above EGP 1,200,000. 25
VAT
14% standard rate. 29 31
Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
No specific controlled-foreign-company rules. Investments are valued under Egyptian accounting standards and the equity method. The gain on a disposal is the sale price minus the cost. 30
Property Tax
Annual real-estate tax at 10% of the assessed rental value, after the maintenance deductions in the law. Owner-occupied homes under the rental-value threshold can be exempt. Assessments are meant to be updated every five years. 31
Property Transaction Tax
2.5% transfer tax on the sale of built property or land prepared for building, charged on the full disposal value, with limited exceptions for villages. 31
Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
There is no digital-nomad visa and no special nomad rate. Work needs a work permit, and an HIV test is required for that permit. A stay that meets the residence tests can bring Egyptian tax on Egypt-source income and, if the centre of activity is in Egypt, on foreign income, up to 27.5%. 4 25 26

About these guide entries

Method
Researched
Last updated
Oct 22, 2026
Last changed
Oct 31, 2026

Checked against the sources below and compared with similar cities. Numbers in the list point to these sources.

  1. en.wikipedia.orgReference
  2. speedtest.netMeasurement
  3. benokinvest.comSecondary
  4. gov.ukOfficial
  5. en.wikivoyage.orgSecondary
  6. power-plugs-sockets.comSecondary
  7. te.egOfficial
  8. orange.egOfficial
  9. re-space.coOfficial
  10. dahabhostel.comOfficial
  11. uber.comOfficial
  12. indrive.comOfficial
  13. cairo.gov.egOfficial
  14. aircairo.comOfficial
  15. egymonuments.gov.egOfficial
  16. assalammaadi.alameda-hc.comOfficial
  17. talabat.comOfficial
  18. breadfast.comOfficial
  19. whc.unesco.orgOfficial
  20. whc.unesco.orgOfficial
  21. ciff.org.egOfficial
  22. culturewheel.comOfficial
  23. cairojazzclub.comOfficial
  24. proplix.coListings
  25. taxsummaries.pwc.comProfessional
  26. taxsummaries.pwc.comProfessional
  27. taxsummaries.pwc.comProfessional
  28. taxsummaries.pwc.comProfessional
  29. taxsummaries.pwc.comProfessional
  30. taxsummaries.pwc.comProfessional
  31. taxsummaries.pwc.comProfessional
  32. gov.ukOfficial
  33. openstreetmap.orgReference
  34. openstreetmap.orgReference
  35. openstreetmap.orgReference
  36. openstreetmap.orgReference
  37. openstreetmap.orgReference
  38. openstreetmap.orgReference
  39. openstreetmap.orgReference
  40. openstreetmap.orgReference
  41. openstreetmap.orgReference
  42. openstreetmap.orgReference
  43. openstreetmap.orgReference
  44. openstreetmap.orgReference
  45. openstreetmap.orgReference

Change history

    • Grocery Delivery Rabbit (15-min delivery), Breadfast (Fresh bakery and groceries) Breadfast delivers groceries, bakery goods and household items to most of Cairo and Giza…
    • Gyms & Fitness Centers Gold's Gym (Multiple locations), Ignite Egypt (Heliopolis/New Cairo) not set
    • Highest Income Tax Bracket 27.5% for income exceeding 1.2M EGP 27.5% on earned income above EGP 1,200,000.
    • Highway Access Ring Road, Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, Suez Road Regional Ring Road, the 26th of July Corridor, the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road and the…
    • Historic Buildings Abdeen Palace, Cairo Tower (187m tall for city views) The Citadel in Islamic Cairo, begun under Salah al-Din. Cairo Tower stands on Gezira…
    • Historical Sites Old Cairo (Coptic Cairo), Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue Historic Cairo, UNESCO-listed since 1979, is the Islamic city founded in the 10th century…
    42 more changes
    • Internet Speed Average 45-60 Mbps (Fiber available in New Cairo and Maadi) Ookla median for Cairo in September 2026 was 92.10 Mbps fixed download (24.21 Mbps upload…
    • Language Classes International House Cairo (Arabic), Arabeya Language Center not set
    • Laundry Services Orca (App-based laundry delivery), local 'Makwagi' shops in every neighborhood not set
    • Libraries & Study Spots Greater Cairo Public Library (Zamalek), AUC Library (Tahrir/New Cairo) not set
    • Local Brewery Al-Ahram Beverages (Stella, Sakara labels - widely available in liquor shops) not set
    • Local Heritage Tanoura Sufi Dance at Wekalet El Ghouri The Al Tanura troupe gives free shows on Saturday, Monday and Wednesday at 20:30 (19:30 in…
    • Local Markets Khan el-Khalili (Historic bazaar), Souq al-Fustat Khan el-Khalili, the historic bazaar in Islamic Cairo.
    • Main Train/Transit Hub Ramses Station (Cairo Railway Station) Ramses Railway Station (Mahattat Ramses) at Midan Ramses, beside Shohadaa metro. Almost…
    • Museums & Art Venues Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) Grand Egyptian Museum, El Remayah Square on the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road in Giza…
    • Music Scene Cairo Jazz Club (Agouza), Room Art Space (Garden City/New Cairo) Cairo Jazz Club, 197 26th of July Street, Agouza, for live music and a bar. El Sawy…
    • Must-See Landmarks Great Pyramids of Giza (Entrance fee 540 EGP), Sphinx, Cairo Citadel Giza Plateau (the pyramids and the Sphinx). A foreign adult area ticket is EGP 700 and a…
    • National Parks Nearby Wadi El Hitan (Whale Valley - 2 hours away, UNESCO site) Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley) is a UNESCO site inside Wadi El-Rayan Protected Area, in…
    • Nearby Nature Escapes Wadi Digla Protectorate (Maadi - Hiking/Biking), Al-Azhar Park Al-Azhar Park, a landscaped garden looking over the Citadel. Wadi Degla Protectorate…
    • Networking Events RiseUp Summit (Annual tech event), Creative Industry Summit not set
    • Parcel Delivery Service Aramex Egypt, DHL, Bosta (e-commerce focus) Uber Egypt offers same-day local delivery of small items. inDrive lists a delivery service…
    • Popular International Cuisine Lucca Steakhouse (Italian), Shogun (Japanese - InterContinental Cairo Semiramis) Talabat groups Italian, Chinese and Indian among cuisines delivered in Cairo. Higher-end…
    • Population Approximately 22,000,000 (Greater Cairo Area) The city has more than 9.8 million people. Greater Cairo, the metropolitan area, has over…
    • Power 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C / F sockets 220 V, 50 Hz, plug types C and F.
    • Property Tax Annual tax based on rental value, typically 10% after exemptions Annual real-estate tax at 10% of the assessed rental value, after the maintenance…
    • Property Transaction Tax 2.5% real estate disposition tax on the seller 2.5% transfer tax on the sale of built property or land prepared for building, charged on…
    • Public Transport Passes Cairo Metro Card (rechargeable, 10-15 EGP per trip depending on zones) Metro singles are EGP 10 (up to 9 stations), 12 (16), 15 (23) and 20 (up to 39). Public…
    • Regional Travel GoBus (Luxury coaches to Hurghada/Dahab), High-speed Talgo trains to Alexandria Trains leave Ramses. Alexandria is about 2.5 hours by train. Air Cairo flies Cairo to Borg…
    • Religious Sites Mosque of Muhammad Ali, Al-Azhar Mosque, Cave Church (Mokattam) Al-Azhar Mosque, the Mosque of Mohamed Ali at the Citadel, and the Hanging Church in…
    • SIM Card Vodafone Egypt, Orange, Etisalat. Best: Vodafone (20GB for approx. 300 EGP) WE Mobile Egypt tourist lines need a passport. Mobile Egypt 100 is EGP 100 before tax for…
    • Scenic Viewpoints Mokattam Hills at sunset, Cairo Tower revolving restaurant Al-Azhar Park looks over Islamic Cairo and the skyline. Cairo Tower is on Gezira.
    • Short Term Rentals Airbnb (Avg. $40/night), Dahab Hostel (Downtown), Maadi furnished apartments Dahab Hostel dorm beds start at EGP 600 a night downtown. District hotel lists cover…
    • Social Events for Expats Maadi Community Center events, Internations Cairo Chapter not set
    • Street Art Murals of Tahrir, Graffiti on Mohamed Mahmoud Street not set
    • Street Food Stalls Kebda El Prince (Imbaba), Gad (multiple locations for Fuul and Falafel) Koshari stalls downtown, and Gad outlets for ful, falafel and shawarma.
    • Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 50 m² in Downtown = $60,000) not set
    • Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $850 per m² (e.g., 50 m² in New Cairo suburbs = $42,500) New Cairo apartments were about EGP 18,000 to 38,000 per square metre in 2026 (Proplix…
    • Table Tennis Spots Many Sporting Clubs (e.g., Gezira SC, Maadi Club - Membership required) not set
    • Tap Water Not drinkable; use bottled water (e.g., Dasani or Nestlé Pure Life, 15 EGP per 1.5L) Visitors usually drink bottled water. A large bottle is about EGP 10 to 20. Skip ice in…
    • Tax System Worldwide income for residents (staying >183 days/year) A person is resident with a permanent home in Egypt, or more than 183 days in any 12…
    • Tech Repair Services Tradeline (Apple Authorized), Ram Technology (Downtown/Bustaan Mall) not set
    • Theater Venues Cairo Opera House (Gezira), El Sawy Culturewheel (Zamalek) Cairo Opera House on Tahrir Street, Gezira. El Sawy Culturewheel, at the end of 26th of…
    • Top International Airline EgyptAir, Emirates, Turkish Airlines Cairo International Airport (CAI) in Heliopolis is the hub for EgyptAir, the flag carrier…
    • Top Regional Airline EgyptAir, Air Cairo Air Cairo, flying from Cairo International Airport, lists Alexandria (Borg El Arab)…
    • VAT 14% standard rate 14% standard rate.
    • Vegan/Vegetarian Options Koshary is naturally vegan; Lychee (Smoothies/Salads), Zooba (Modern Egyptian) Koshari, as served in the downtown shops, is a plant-based plate. Gad also sells ful and…
    • Wine Bars The Cellar (Zamalek), L'Aubergine (Zamalek) not set
    • Yoga & Wellness Centers Osana Family Wellness (Maadi), Nun Center (Zamalek) not set

    full-depth rewrite. City, Population, Internet Speed, Currency & Banking, Tap Water, Power, SIM Card, Accommodation, Cashless Friendly, Short Term Rentals, Budget Accommodation, Best Coworking Space, Best Cafe for Work, Best Taxi/Ride App, Bike/Scooter Rental, Best Beach Nearby, Top Regional Airline, Top International Airline, Highway Access, Main Train/Transit Hub, Public Transport Passes, Regional Travel, Best Hospital, Best Food Delivery App, Best Local Dish to Try, Vegan/Vegetarian Options, Best Dessert Spots, Affordable Shopping Spots, Grocery Delivery, Bar/Nightlife Area, Street Food Stalls, Popular International Cuisine, Must-See Landmarks, Museums & Art Venues, Historical Sites, Religious Sites, Annual Events, Cultural Districts, Theater Venues, Local Markets, Music Scene, Historic Buildings, Local Heritage, Nearby Nature Escapes, National Parks Nearby, Cycling/Walking Paths, Scenic Viewpoints, Birdwatching Locations, Parcel Delivery Service, Studio Purchase Price (Outside City), 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City), 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City), Corporate Tax, Dividend Withholding Tax, Tax System, Highest Income Tax Bracket, VAT, Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules, Property Tax, Property Transaction Tax, Best Area to Stay for Tourists, Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads, Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads. Cleared pending a source: Banking for Expats, Networking Events, Social Events for Expats, Yoga & Wellness Centers, Gyms & Fitness Centers, Laundry Services, E-commerce/Online Store, Local Brewery, Wine Bars, Street Art, Cooking Classes, Art Galleries, Bonfire-Friendly Spots, Tech Repair Services, Table Tennis Spots, Language Classes, Libraries & Study Spots, Community Centers, Gaming Lounges, Casino & Gaming Halls, Studio Purchase Price (City Center), 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center), 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) (benokinvest.com, te.eg, re-space.co, taxsummaries.pwc.com).

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