Thursday, November 7 2024 14:28
Naira Badalian

Fair taxation results in benefit restrictions 

Fair taxation results in benefit restrictions 

ArmInfo.The Ministry of Finance of Armenia, in order to establish , proposes  to transfer certain areas of professional activity to the value added tax system from July 2025.

,  - said the Minister of Finance of the Republic of Armenia Vahe  Hovhannisyan on November 7 at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers  presenting the relevant amendments to the Tax Code. In particular,  the head of the Ministry of Finance explained, the problem is that a  teacher or doctor carrying out professional activities pays income  tax in the amount of 20% from their salary, while representatives of  other areas of professional activity or the same individual  entrepreneurs either do not pay this type of tax at all, working in  the sphere of micro- entrepreneurship, or pay a 5% turnover tax.

The next problem is that when operating in the micro-entrepreneurship  system, business entities are exempt from business taxes, and the tax  burden in the turnover tax system is significantly lower than the  burden for businesses operating in the general tax field but engaged  in the same type of activity. This leads to aggressive tax planning,  underestimation of the real amount of taxes, believes the chief  financier of Armenia. For this purpose, the financial authorities  propose to remove certain areas of professional activity from the  scope of application of special taxation systems.

The Minister reminded that in this context, amendments to the Tax  Code have already been adopted, which will come into force on January  1, 2025. In particular, the turnover tax rates will be doubled. In  addition, from 2025, representatives of notary, advocacy activities  and the organization of lotteries from the turnover tax system will  be transferred to the general tax field; in the microenterprise  taxation system, the activities of taxpayers engaged in the purchase  and sale and / or lease of real estate in the regions, hairdressing  services, body care, car maintenance services, intermediary services,  software development and construction work, assessment and  measurement of real estate, activities for the organization of baths  and saunas will be limited (the adoption of the project, as  previously indicated in the Ministry of Finance, promises the state  treasury an annual increase in revenues from the turnover tax of  about 17.8 billion drams - ed.).

If the new initiative is approved, from July 2025, those taxpayers  who carry out the following activities cannot be microentrepreneurs  or payers of turnover tax: legal and accounting activities; head  office activities; management consulting services; building  construction, civil engineering, specialized construction activities;  real estate transactions for a fee or on a contractual basis;  architectural and engineering activities; technical testing and  analysis; advertising activities and market research; scientific  research and technical development, other professional, scientific  and technical activities; activities to provide temporary labor;  health care.

During discussions with stakeholders, according to Hovhannisyan, a  number of areas of activity, such as veterinary activities, social  services to the population with the provision of housing, activities  to provide social services without the provision of housing, were  excluded from the list. An early draft also proposed to limit the  operation of interregional, intraregional transport routes or the  organization of bus (minibus) passenger transportation in the  micro-enterprise system. The entry into force of the amendments was  also postponed - from January to July 2025. The possibilities for  reducing the tax base were expanded, in particular, administrative  costs were included in the composition of expenses, deductible  revenues. If the amendments are adopted, the annual increase in state  budget revenues from VAT and income tax is estimated at approximately  13 billion drams.

Currently the turnover tax (replaces VAT and income tax) is paid by  business entities whose annual turnover does not exceed 115 million  drams (from January 1, 2020, Armenia returned to a non-taxable annual  turnover of up to 115 million drams). This group includes SMEs,  individual entrepreneurs and notaries. In particular, we are talking  about payments of 5% of the turnover of commercial activities and  3.5% of the turnover of production. As previously reported by the  Ministry of Finance, studies show that instead of an alternative  general taxation system, the turnover tax system has turned into a  preferential taxation system. In particular, when comparing the tax  burden of the general taxation system (VAT and income tax) and the  turnover tax system in certain areas of economic activity, it turned  out that in almost all industries (with the exception of those  industries in which the main transactions are exempt from VAT), the  tax burden of the general taxation system significantly exceeds the  turnover tax burden. Thus, the total tax burden on VAT and income tax  in the manufacturing industry exceeds the burden on turnover tax by 2  times, in construction - by 2.6 times, in trade - by 2.6 times, in  the sphere of accommodation and public catering - by 3 times, in the  sphere of real estate - by 2.1 times, in the sphere of professional,  scientific and technical activity - by 2.8 times.  

POST A COMMENT
Input digits     


News
Armenia`s minister of economy meets with AmCham business communityArmenia`s minister of economy meets with AmCham business community
Qualitative changes in Armenia`s tourism industry - minister Qualitative changes in Armenia`s tourism industry - minister 
Improving quality of services in Armenia`s regions among priorities -  Chairperson of the Tourism CommitteeImproving quality of services in Armenia`s regions among priorities -  Chairperson of the Tourism Committee
USD. RUB trasnactions up in Armenia`s interbank foreign exchange  market Dec 2 to 6USD. RUB trasnactions up in Armenia`s interbank foreign exchange  market Dec 2 to 6
ZMMC CSO Director: In the coming years, the mining industry will have a positive impact on the Armenian economyZMMC CSO Director: In the coming years, the mining industry will have a positive impact on the Armenian economy
Armenia`s service sector revenue reaches nearly $7 billion by November.Armenia`s service sector revenue reaches nearly $7 billion by November.
Armenia`s metallurgical industry grew by 4%   in the first 10 monthsArmenia`s metallurgical industry grew by 4%   in the first 10 months
Electricity generation in Armenia increased by 4.6% in 10 monthsElectricity generation in Armenia increased by 4.6% in 10 months
Armenia`s wine production decreasingArmenia`s wine production decreasing
Armenia`s GDP growth for 2025 revised down to 5.1%Armenia`s GDP growth for 2025 revised down to 5.1%
RA Ministry of Economy, World Bank representatives discuss tourism  cluster development  in Gyumri RA Ministry of Economy, World Bank representatives discuss tourism  cluster development  in Gyumri 
Meeting with WB delegation at Armenia`s Ministry of EconomyMeeting with WB delegation at Armenia`s Ministry of Economy
1,200 Armenian trucks in queue at Upper Lars checkpoint1,200 Armenian trucks in queue at Upper Lars checkpoint
Armenian producers participate in Food Africa exhibitionArmenian producers participate in Food Africa exhibition
Armenian businessmen record 14.5% growth in Wildberries sales in  Jan-Sept, 2024Armenian businessmen record 14.5% growth in Wildberries sales in  Jan-Sept, 2024
EDB develops database of non-sovereign financing in Eurasian region EDB develops database of non-sovereign financing in Eurasian region 
Ardshinbank Partners with the European Investment Bank to Improve Climate Risk ManagementArdshinbank Partners with the European Investment Bank to Improve Climate Risk Management
Ameriabank named the Bank of the Year 2024 in Armenia by The  Banker MagazineAmeriabank named the Bank of the Year 2024 in Armenia by The Banker Magazine
EDB forecasts decline in Armenia`s GDP growth rate from 6% to 5.5% in  2024-2025 EDB forecasts decline in Armenia`s GDP growth rate from 6% to 5.5% in 2024-2025
OPEC Fund to provide 50 million euro loan to Armenia OPEC Fund to provide 50 million euro loan to Armenia
EDB plans to invest $200-250 million in Armenia in 2025-2026- MandronEDB plans to invest $200-250 million in Armenia in 2025-2026- Mandron
GIZ presents water resources management program  in ArmeniaGIZ presents water resources management program  in Armenia
Economic activity growth in Armenia slowed to 8.1% in January-October  2024 Economic activity growth in Armenia slowed to 8.1% in January-October 2024
Armenia and Algeria to collaborate in trade, economy and tourismArmenia and Algeria to collaborate in trade, economy and tourism
EDB ready to support Mastara reservoir construction once a proposal  is submitted - PodguzovEDB ready to support Mastara reservoir construction once a proposal  is submitted - Podguzov
EDB: Armenia withdrew its application for financing Amulsar mine  projectEDB: Armenia withdrew its application for financing Amulsar mine  project
Armenia`s government approves draft agreement between EAEU and  Mongolia  Armenia`s government approves draft agreement between EAEU and  Mongolia  
Armenian Airlines announce seasonal discounts Armenian Airlines announce seasonal discounts 
Events organized to raise Tavush residents` awareness of sustainable  energy technologies Events organized to raise Tavush residents` awareness of sustainable  energy technologies 
Kazakh Central Depository granted membership of Central Depository of  Armenia Kazakh Central Depository granted membership of Central Depository of  Armenia 
Reduced expenses on Armenia`s economic development to reduce budget  potential - Luys FoundationReduced expenses on Armenia`s economic development to reduce budget  potential - Luys Foundation
IDBank donated 10,000,000 AMD to the 27th IDBank donated 10,000,000 AMD to the 27th "For You, Armenia!" Telethon
There is a shadow turnover of funds in the bus transportation sector  - Prime MinisterThere is a shadow turnover of funds in the bus transportation sector - Prime Minister
Gevorg Papoyan: We are now very close to the real volumes of our  exportsGevorg Papoyan: We are now very close to the real volumes of our  exports
1.4% y/y inflation recorded in Armenia in Nov 2024 1.4% y/y inflation recorded in Armenia in Nov 2024 
Armenia`s minister of economy explains higher number of jobs Armenia`s minister of economy explains higher number of jobs 
Armenia`s NA ratifies protocol granting status of independent  international organization to EFSDArmenia`s NA ratifies protocol granting status of independent  international organization to EFSD
Armenian NA approves 2025 draft budgetArmenian NA approves 2025 draft budget
Opposition NA factions vote against government-submitted 2025 draft  budgetOpposition NA factions vote against government-submitted 2025 draft  budget
EFSD to provide Armenia with $200 mln loan for construction of  Kajaran tunnelEFSD to provide Armenia with $200 mln loan for construction of Kajaran tunnel
 Armenian authorities aim to establish a stable and favorable  environment for SMEs in the market Armenian authorities aim to establish a stable and favorable  environment for SMEs in the market
“The Will to Get Back on Your Feet Again” ։ A Film Series Funded by AraratBank
EFSD to become fully independent international organizationEFSD to become fully independent international organization
Fluctuations do not cause changes in 2025 draft budget of Armenia Fluctuations do not cause changes in 2025 draft budget of Armenia 
Upper Lars checkpoint open for transport
RA Finance Minister, German Ambassador discuss projects implemented with KfW supportRA Finance Minister, German Ambassador discuss projects implemented with KfW support
CBA hosting the 27th meeting of the Advisory Council on Monetary Policy for EAEU Member StatesCBA hosting the 27th meeting of the Advisory Council on Monetary Policy for EAEU Member States
Armenia`s gross international reserves 5.8% down by Nov 2024Armenia`s gross international reserves 5.8% down by Nov 2024
Armenian ECPC Chairman leaves for Paris Armenian ECPC Chairman leaves for Paris 
Armenia to host Plenary Session of PABSEC GAArmenia to host Plenary Session of PABSEC GA
RA Minister of Economy: Armenia and Georgia have great potential for  collaboration RA Minister of Economy: Armenia and Georgia have great potential for  collaboration 
863 Armenian trucks waiting to pass through Upper Lars checkpoint863 Armenian trucks waiting to pass through Upper Lars checkpoint
In 2025, Armenia will allow duty-free import of up to 9,000 tons of  cattle meat into the countryIn 2025, Armenia will allow duty-free import of up to 9,000 tons of  cattle meat into the country
EEC Council approves exemption from import customs duty on butter for  ArmeniaEEC Council approves exemption from import customs duty on butter for  Armenia
Wind power generation project discussed with Asian Development BankWind power generation project discussed with Asian Development Bank
Vahe Davtyan: Pressure on ANPP is part of broader geopolitical  competitionVahe Davtyan: Pressure on ANPP is part of broader geopolitical  competition
Gevorg Papoyan: Reducing target inflation threshold in the short term  will have negative economic consequencesGevorg Papoyan: Reducing target inflation threshold in the short term  will have negative economic consequences
 Economy Minister expects construction of Masdar`s solar station to  start in 2025 Economy Minister expects construction of Masdar`s solar station to  start in 2025
Economy Minister attributes Armenia`s economic slowdown to  Statistical Committee`s outdated calculation methodology Economy Minister attributes Armenia`s economic slowdown to  Statistical Committee`s outdated calculation methodology 
Depputy head of Armenia`s State Revenue Committee attends the Global  Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information on TaxationDepputy head of Armenia`s State Revenue Committee attends the Global  Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information on Taxation
Read more
Exchange rates
06.12.2024
RUB4.030.1
USD401.31-1.72
EUR424.710.52
GBP512.11-0.46
CAD285.83-0.86
JPY26.65-0.20
CNY55.25-0.23
CHF457.231.26