Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 6 July (BelTA) - Taxation should be made as comfortable as possible for business, yet the realization of the legitimate interests of the state should be guaranteed, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said during a working meeting with Taxes and Duties Minister Sergei Nalivaiko, BelTA has learned.

“I would like to hear what the current issues are. What we need to do to make it more comfortable for business and manufacturing industries - those who pay taxes, and to make sure that the state should not exert excess pressure on them. At the same time we should ensure that the state should not lose anything in this regard and receive everything it is entitled, like it happens in all states,” the President said.

The head of state noted that the tax authorities are going through a kind of turning point in their efforts to improve the tax system and administration. “What has been done in this regard, especially when we take into account the computerization? We agreed that your ministry will do a lot on this front.” The head of state asked.

The Minister told media after the meeting that he reported to the President about the progress in the development of the systems of electronic control and e-invoices for VAT payers launched on 1 July. “These systems are efficient. We have improved the collection of payments and were able to reduce the number of audits thanks to these systems. This process will be continued. Our major goal is to secure contact-free interaction with tax services and minimize the number of audits for bona fide economic entities. We may even decide not to conduct any audits unless analytical systems point to any risks,” Sergei Nalivaiko told BelTA

According to the minister, Belarus has made great progress in streamlining its taxation system for business within the past five years. Belarus’ international rankings, including those of the World Bank, testify to the fact. Among the recent changes the minister named a simplified taxation system and a single tax that facilitates the calculation and payment of the necessary sums to the budget.

Sergei Nalivaiko also emphasized the importance of stable taxation. “This area was outlined by the head of state at the start of the previous year. A decision was taken to keep tax rates and the number of taxes unchanged within the calendar year. I believe that, with the economic situation gradually stabilizing, changes in taxes and tax rates will be frozen for a longer period,” he said.