DUSHANBE, June 13, Asia-Plus — Senior representatives of the Tax Committee have met with demonstrators to explain them government’s resolution of May 30 on rules of issuing patent and certificate of registration of entrepreneurs without opening a legal entity, which will effective starting July 1.
As it had been reported earlier, some 150 entrepreneurs, mainly traders from the Dushanbe market Korvon, have gathered near the building of Tax Committee in Dushanbe today, protesting at rising patent fees.
Speaking in an interview with Asia-Plus, some of demonstrators said that they are dissatisfied with by government’s resolution of May 30 on raising patent and entrepreneurial certificate fees. “If the fees are not lowered, we will stop work and the Korvon market may be closed,” the entrepreneurs said.
According to them, the new registration allegedly causes unfounded increase in an amount of tax fees.
Speaking to demonstrators, the deputy head of the Tax Committee, Bakhtiyor Sultonov noted that the mentioned government’s resolution and changes and addenda to the country’s tax code are dedicated to streamline work of tax bodies and will not affect tax payments.
According to Sultonov, the main reason for dissatisfaction of demonstrators is their poor awareness of amendments made to the tax code.
“If entrepreneurial activity is conducted in line with laws and entrepreneurs are well aware of their rights and duties, there will be no any problems,” Sultonov said, noting that the Tax Committee is ready to consider their proposals before July 1 and submit them for consideration to the government.
Besides, explanatory booklets and posters, published with support of International Finance Corporation (IFC), will be distributed to markets across the country within the next few days.
Demonstrators also drew attention of tax authorities to low professional level of some tax inspectors and their rude treatment.
We will recall that changes and addenda made to the tax code will be effective beginning on July 1. The amendments provide for introduction of a new type patent, which includes income tax (13%), social tax (02 percent) and retail trade tax (3 percent). After having paid for the patent, an entrepreneur will not have to pay additionally social tax and retail trade tax, as it is now. These taxes will be included into the price of the patent.
In the meantime, according to the IFC Dushanbe Office, calculation of the retail trade tax is the main reason for frequent tax inspections.
“In 2005, individual entrepreneurs underwent tax inspections nine times. Enterprises paying taxes in accordance with standard system make various payments 25 times a year, while entrepreneurs working on patent and certificate system (simplified tax payment system) make payments at least 16 times a year. The new patent will allow reducing tax payments from 36 to 12,” the source at IFC Dushanbe Office said.
Besides, introduction of the new patent does not require using cash-register and keeping revenue/expenditure records in the registration book.
The new patents also provides for running business on 168 types of activities united in 28 categories. The maximum cost of the new patent is on the category “Transportation of Oil Products, Liquefied Gas and Cement by Specialized Vehicles” – 240 somonis (equivalent to some $70.00) per month, and the minimum cost of the new patent is on the category “Transportation of Cargoes by Scooters and Handcarts” – 30 somonis (some $9.00) per month.
