The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), commonly known as the Kokang Army, has begun measuring shops along the Lashio–Mong Yai road in northern Shan State to collect taxes for 2026, according to residents.

Beginning in the first week of December, officials from the MNDAA’s Taxation Department conducted measurements of shop areas in Nam Pawng and Ho Ya village tracts. Shop owners were informed that next year’s taxes would be calculated based on the size of their premises, and that they must obtain a license book before payments begin.

“At the beginning of the month, the Kokang called a meeting with vendors. They said next year’s tax will be calculated per square foot, between 2 and 5 Chinese Yuan,” a resident from Nam Pawng Village Tract told SHAN. “Since that will come to about 50 to 100 Yuan per month, some small shops are already considering closing because the tax is too high,” said a local source.

The MNDAA’s new tax structure for 2026 varies by shop size and type of goods sold, with monthly payments ranging from 50 to 100 Yuan (approximately 30,000–60,000 Kyats). Residents said the group plans to collect taxes six months or one year in advance. When combined with additional fees—including business tax, health tax, and security tax—total payments could reach 600,000 to 1,000,000 Kyats per shop.

The MNDAA’s Finance and Tax Office is also issuing tax payment receipt books, which vendors must purchase for around 50,000 Kyats. Shop owners say the cumulative costs are becoming unmanageable for small-scale businesses.

“They have already started measuring shops in some villages,” said a vendor from Mong Yai Township.

“Signboards we were told to redo last month to include Chinese text must be replaced again if they don’t meet the exact requirements. Most people have had to redo them twice. In the past, the township municipality charged only 15,000 Kyats for the whole year. Now the Kokang taxes are too high.” a vendor from Mong Yai Township added.

In the third week of November, the MNDAA summoned administrators from Nam Pawng and Ho Ya for a meeting, instructing them that all shop signboards must include Chinese language in addition to Burmese and Shan.

Residents report that despite rumors of withdrawal, MNDAA troops stationed between Lashio and Mong Yai remain in their positions, operating checkpoints without signs of military tension with junta forces.

Meanwhile, traders say junta troops at the Ho Ya checkpoint in Mong Yai Township are strictly inspecting—and in some cases blocking—the transport of Chinese-made goods imported through Brotherhood Alliance–controlled areas, with some items reportedly being confiscated outright.