Armenia’s government mulls changes to controversial tax reform

By bne IntelliNews September 1, 2016

The Armenian government is discussing changes to a controversial tax reform that the parliament passed in first reading in June, Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty's (RFE/RL) Armenian service reported on August 30.

The reform will be subjected to a second reading in the fall. If it passes, it will be enforced gradually in three to five years, according to lawmakers. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) advised Yerevan to push for structural reforms, which include higher tax collections, in a June review.

The bill would increase income tax for those earning over AMD120,000 (€223) per month from 26% to between 28% and 33%, while decreasing the income tax for those earning AMD2mn or more from 36% to 33% and for those earning AMD120,000 or less from 24.4% to 23%. Opposition parties, some pro-ruling party lawmakers and business associations have opposed the bill, claiming that it would seriously affect the private sector.

Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan promised “reasonable” amendments to the tax code in a parliamentary debate on August 30, before the reform is passed in September, and said that he is discussing the issue with his cabinet.

Tax collections in Armenia have increased in recent years, but remain low at one fifth of GDP, below its regional peers. Widespread tax evasion and corruption are believed to be the reasons behind the country's poor tax collection track record. 

Read in IntelliNews Pro
Get IntelliNews Pro

Related Articles

Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia enjoying Persian new year influx of Iranians

Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia are enjoying a welcome injection of revenues from the annual influx of Iranians enjoying their long Nowruz Persian new year holiday. Anecdotal evidence indicates ... more

Iran could join Moscow-led EEU by May says Russian minister

Russia’s Energy Minister Aleksander Novak has said Iran could join the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) by May, RT reported on March 10. Tehran has repeatedly lobbied Moscow over the past year to ... more

Armenian energy minister says renewables, nuclear power to replace Russian gas

The Armenian government will continue with its efforts to reduce the share of Russian gas in the country's electricity mix, Energy Minister Ashot Maukyan said on January 31, according to the local ... more

Most Read

  1. Romanian developers get in the game
    4 days ago
  2. Putin and Trump trying to walk back Syria strike and sanctions tensions
    4 days ago
  3. What’s the cost of US sanctions on Russia?
    5 days ago
  4. E-commerce dramatically eats into foot traffic at Moscow’s leading shopping malls
    16 days ago
  5. Romania entrepreneur aims to put home-grown UAV defence technology industry on the map
    5 days ago
  1. Fears raised of US conditioning F-35s sale on Turkey cancelling S-400 deal with Russia
    25 days ago
  2. COMMENT: Whisper it – ‘Erdonomics’ could be driving Turkey to a meltdown
    12 days ago
  3. Romanian developers get in the game
    4 days ago
  4. KRUK REPORT: Nadia Savchenko, Ukraine’s fallen hero
    30 days ago
  5. Putin and Trump trying to walk back Syria strike and sanctions tensions
    4 days ago

Selected articles from our premium news/views wire IntelliNews Pro

Login to IntelliNews Pro
Get IntelliNews Pro

Reports

Dismiss