IPC SESSIONS: TAX POLICY AND SOCIAL ISSUES

One of the most important conditions for the accelerated development of the economy, the formation of a favorable climate for entrepreneurial activity, the improvement of the investment environment, expansion of production and services is the tax system that meets modern requirements.

The Strategy of Actions along five priority tracks for the development of Uzbekistan in 2017-2021 provides for a consistent simplification of tax administration and reduction of the tax burden by expanding the taxable base.

Recently, necessary measures have been taken to reduce inspections of business entities and to eliminate unreasonable interference in their activities. Unscheduled and counter checks of businessmen were canceled; the forms and periodicity of submission of reports were simplified.

At the same time, there are many problems in the field of tax administration. To address them, the President of Uzbekistan issued a decree "On Measures for the Basic Improvement of Tax Administration, Increasing the Collection of Taxes and Other Mandatory Payments," adopted in July this year.

This was discussed at the regular session of the International Press Club (IPC), the theme of which is "Modern tax policy of Uzbekistan: tasks and implementation mechanism."

During the event, such issues as radical improvement of this sphere, conveniences and benefits created for taxpayers, main directions of reforming the system of tax service bodies, interactive public services provided by them, development of information and communication technologies, as well as tasks and functions Inspection of the control over the completeness of the revenues to the State Budget, established in the structure of the Accounts Chamber of the Republic.

Speakers at the meeting were Deputy Chairman of the State Tax Committee Erkin Gadoev, Nazarali Narbaev and Hotambek Shakirov, Deputy Minister of Justice Nodirjon Juraev, Deputy Minister of Economy Shuhrat Ismailov, Deputy Minister of Finance Mubin Mirzayev, a responsible representative of the banking sector Saidkamol Khodjaev and Deputy Chairman of the Accounting Chamber Kahramon Akmalov . On the question of domestic and foreign journalists were answered by senior officials of the General Prosecutor’s Office, the State Tax Committee and teachers of Academy of Public Administration under the President of Uzbekistan and the Tax Academy.

Speaking at the meeting spoke in detail about the presidential decree on improving the tax field, stressing that it will provide a steady decline in the tax burden and create a favorable climate for business development and attracting foreign investment.

This document has seven major directions of reforming the system of the State Tax Service.

First of all, this is the widespread introduction of modern information and communication technologies and advanced automated analysis methods into the tax administration process, a complete transition to contactless electronic servicing of taxpayers, primarily business entities. On the other hand - ensuring timely and reliable accounting of taxable items, strengthening the responsibility of officials of authorized bodies and organizations for the timely provision of reliable information related to taxation issues.

It is also assistance to taxpayers in fulfilling their obligations in this area, developing effective mechanisms for preventing tax violations and enhancing their legal culture. As well as ensuring full coverage of taxable items and expanding the tax base through a systematic analysis of the dynamics of macroeconomic indicators and the tax potential of the regions.

An important direction is the expansion of the taxable base by rendering all-round assistance in restoring the activities of dormant enterprises, improving the financial condition of low-profitable and unprofitable facilities, strengthening the mechanisms for mutual settlements, preventing the growth of tax arrears. As well as expanding interaction with financial authorities, interested ministries and departments, as well as local authorities in matters of taxation, including through the identification of additional reserves to increase the incomes of the republican and local budgets.

The need for systematic work on the selection and placement of personnel, the staffing of tax authorities by skilled workers with high moral and moral qualities, as well as ensuring the prevention of violations among workers and creating decent conditions for their service is very relevant.

The document also establishes that as of January 1, 2018, a modern form of tax control is being introduced: tax monitoring, which provides for an extended information exchange between tax authorities and bona fide taxpayers, providing them with comprehensive assistance in resolving various current issues.

A very interesting point of the President’s Decree is that bona fide taxpayers - businesses subject to temporary financial difficulties - may be granted a tax holiday, and a court order is introduced to collect the amount of taxes and other mandatory payments revealed by the results of control in the event that the taxpayer fails to provide justifications By discrepancy.

Refund or offset of overpaid taxes and other mandatory payments is made within 15 working days from the date of the taxpayer’s appeal to the authorized bodies. The tax service is given the authority to suspend operations for a period of up to five banking days on accounts of economic entities that sell goods (works, services) without registration of receipts.

A system of automated control over the receipt of cash proceeds is implemented through the use of cash registers that provide data to the tax authorities on online calculations in Tashkent, Nukus and regional centers with the phased introduction of this system in other regions of the country.

A specialized automated system for analyzing the risks of committing tax offenses is being introduced to effectively select the objects of tax inspections, as well as to carry out permanent accounting and control by the tax authorities of the actual volume of production of highly liquid products.

The bodies of the state tax service carry out systematic monitoring of the compliance of the reporting and actual number of employees of economic entities, and, by its results, specify the taxable base.

In the structure of the Accounts Chamber of the Republic, an inspection was established to monitor the completeness of the revenues to the State Budget. And the GNK formed two main departments - the prevention of offenses in the retail trade and the provision of services and information and communication technologies. Also, four SOE structures have been renamed, with new functional tasks assigned to them.

The position of deputy chairman of the State Tax Committee - the head of the main department of information and communication technologies, responsible for the introduction of modern ICT in the activities of tax authorities was introduced.

As Nazarali Narbaev, vice-chairman of the State Tax Committee, noted in his speech, the tax sphere is studied from the critical point of view, which is why shortcomings have been revealed, work on which is conducted to date. He also noted that the main task of the tax committee is to inform taxpayers. It is necessary for the citizens of the country to understand the significance and timeliness of paying taxes.

Deputy Chairman of the State Tax Service Erkin Gadoev touched upon the issue of training and retraining of personnel. "Tax service employees should have a solid and deep knowledge base. They must skillfully analyze regional cash receipts, "he stressed.

First Deputy Minister of Justice Nodirjon Juraev noted that from January 1, 2018, it is planned to introduce a number of changes in the tax legislation. It is planned to develop 10 new draft laws in this area, as well as other regulatory documents. Their quality will be a good assistant in the development of the tax system.

Deputy Chairman of the State Tax Committee Hotambek Shakirov spoke about the goals and tasks for the introduction of information technology in the tax system, which began in 2005. For more than ten years, there have been significant achievements - a unified communication system has been created in all tax service bodies, a data processing center. "Earlier tax specialists had to come into personal contact with citizens, but thanks to IT we solved most of the problems through interactive services. Now all the possibilities of communication at a distance are created. All legal entities (there are more than 350 thousand of them in the country) have personal offices through which we contact them. But individuals cannot take advantage of this opportunity. With them things are more complicated - the lack of many computer equipment, the inability of people to use it, hamper the position of the tax committee. But on the other hand, most citizens have mobile phones, smart phones. More than 15 interactive mobile applications have been created, which offer great opportunities for bоth the tax committee and citizens, "the speaker said.

When investors want to invest, they first examine the tax system," said Bоtir Arifjonov, the founder of Le Bazar. - I would suggest to the employees of the tax inspection to create a short and convenient information brochure in electronic form, for a quick familiarization with the tax system of our state.

Expert Hikmat Abdurakhimov, chairman of the Association for International Business and Technology (AMBiT), introduced a proposal to reduce taxes, Deputy Finance Minister Mubin Mirzayev said that this is a great desire, but for this it is necessary to create new jobs to ensure cash receipts to the budget on that same level.

The first deputy of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Islam Jasimov, recommended that when working out bills related to taxes, work together with entrepreneurs, because they, by virtue of their experience, submit the right thoughts and make correct comments.

The responsible employee of the banking sector Saidkamol Khodjayev noted that a project is currently underway to liberalize the foreign exchange market. Considered is the issue of cashing in ATMs from plastic cards. It should take into account the capacity of cash in ATMs, as well as the size of notes of Uzbek currency units. The speaker did not say the exact time, but said that all this will come true in the near future. He also noted that the insufficient number of terminals in the country is the main problem for today. Since recently, banks have been authorized to purchase terminals abroad, which will subsequently be connected to the central bank’s base.

Uzbekistan Today