/ / News
09.07.2013

Belarus seeks to get into top 100 countries in WB’s Paying Taxes 2013 ranking

MINSK, 9 July (BelTA) – Belarus is determined to get into the top 100 countries listed in the Paying Taxes 2013 report of the World Bank, First Deputy Minister of Taxes and Duties of Belarus Sergei Nalivaiko has told reporters, BelTA has learnt.

“We are doing everything we can to move up the ranking as much as possible. The challenge is to get into the top 70 countries. If the reforms taking place in Belarus are assessed objectively, this year we have every chance to get into the top 100 countries,” Sergei Nalivaiko said.

Last year Belarus ranked 129th in the Paying Taxes report, moving up by 54 positions.

Sergei Nalivaiko noted that the World Bank gave due credit to Belarus for implementing tax reforms. The World Bank acknowledged that Belarus made taxation easier and more cost-effective for businesses. Belarus improved its standing in the ranking by easing tax compliance and reducing the frequency of filings and tax payment. The number of administrative procedures by tax authorities was reduced by a third. The calculation of the value added tax was simplified.

According to Sergei Nalivaiko, Belarus owes its advancement in the ranking to the expansion of online systems for tax compliance. As of 1 July 2013, Belarus’ electronic filing system featured over 120,000 taxpayers, including 72,000 legal entities and almost 50,000 self-employed businessmen. New electronic services for taxpayers will be developed by the end of 2013.