Starting from June 1 this year Tajik internet providers will have to pay a 3% excise tax which was imposed in the country on January 1, 2010, but the payment issue was raised in Tajikistan in November 2011.
In her interview to AP chairwoman of the Association of Internet Providers of Tajikistan Parvina Ibodova said the association tried to appeal against Tax Committee’s decision but failed as all related government structures have supported the decision.
“As a result internet providers were forced to pay this additional tax,” Ibodova has said.
She said the companies will have to pay the tax for a period from January 1, 2011 to June 1, 2012 at the expense of their income. Starting from June 1 this year providers will revise prices for their services.
“Some providers have already revised their prices, some have just started to do that. On average prices for internet services will raise by 4%,” she said.
Eastera company will raise internet prices by 3.5-4%. The company said the move will impact the development of internet services in the country.
“Providers could use these funds for the development of internet sector but are now forced to pay excise tax which is not paid by any internet provider in the world,” Eastera said.
According to the Tajik State Statistical Agency, the number of internet users in Tajikistan is 2.1mln people.
