16.03.2022

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting at the State Tax Committee on the immediate tasks of improving the tax sector.

In recent years, the tax administration has been actively reformed in the country. In December 2019, a new version of the Tax Code was adopted, which has introduced direct action norms. The number of types of taxes has been reduced from 13 to 9. The property tax rate has been reduced from 5 to 1.5%, and the VAT from 20 to 15%. The tax burden on wages has been reduced to nearly 2 times.

As a result, the entrepreneurs’ confidence in the reforms has been strengthened. The tax revenues have increased four times. The number of VAT payers increased from 6 to 152 thousand.

The new Development Strategy sets out the tasks to continue these reforms, as well as further reduce the tax burden on the economy and simplify tax procedures.

“We have proclaimed the principle of exalting the honor and dignity of a person. We are working to improve the well-being of the people. When shall  our people be satisfied? When there will be fewer taxes and the incomes will grow,” Shavkat Mirziyoyev has said.

In particular, by 2026 it is planned to reduce the tax burden on the economy to 25%. It also provides for a reduction in the rate of VAT to 12% from 2023, in the future – the unification of land tax and property tax.

At the beginning of the meeting, the responsible officials reported on the work, which has been carried out.

The President has stressed the need to improve the work of tax authorities, for which it is necessary to widely introduce the information technologies.

This will contribute to the full automation of business processes, the elimination of tax barriers, the reduction of the «shadow economy» and strengthening of human resources.

The President pointed to the need to ensure the stability of tax revenues and support entrepreneurs in the current rapidly changing, difficult situation in the world.

“I came here as a representative of the taxpayers,” - said the President. “The growth of the tax flow is not a main thing. First of all, we need to set up the system correctly, teach, reduce the tax burden, and provide entrepreneurs with conditions for free, honest work. The tax officials should not be punishers, but helpers.”

It was noted that in some cases, the entrepreneurs have a lot of questions, as well, since they do not understand how to work with new programs and requirements. In this regard, it was noted that on the basis of the principle of «A taxman - An assistant» it is necessary to explain to businesses how to work according to the new rules, expand the coverage of entrepreneurs with electronic services. The Tax Committee was instructed to hold meetings with entrepreneurs in all regions, as well as report to the people through the media.

The tax system should actively participate in the transformation of the state-owned enterprises, focusing them on cost reduction and financial stability, it was noted at the meeting.

As you know, in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan of November 4, 2020, the Fiscal Institute was established at the State Tax Committee. The President drew attention to the insufficient level of personnel training. The importance of training the tax officials on the new IT solutions being introduced into the system and improving the skills of specialists abroad was noted.

The tasks for the transformation of the tax authorities into a system free from corruption are defined.