During a working meeting with the ministers of economy and finance, issues concerning the tax system were discussed. The head of the Ministry of Finance, Madi Takiyev, pointed out that many companies exploit special tax regimes not as intended, but as a means to evade taxes. Specifically, large businesses are fragmenting their operations into smaller entities to benefit from small business incentives, as well as inflating expenses to minimize their tax liabilities.
Examples of evasion schemes include dividing businesses into several legal entities. For instance, in restaurants, the bar, kitchen, and karaoke are registered as separate companies, while in hotels, each floor is registered under different owners. Another scheme involves artificially creating losses: one firm purchases goods and sells them at cost to another firm, thereby avoiding VAT payment. Additionally, businesses are reclassifying employees as individual entrepreneurs to evade payroll taxes.
In response, authorities plan to tighten control and combat business fragmentation. A list of major companies that utilize such schemes has already been compiled, including well-known construction firms, restaurants, fitness clubs, and other organizations.
“From the information provided by the Minister of Finance, it is evident that unscrupulous entrepreneurs, by applying various tax optimization schemes, are acting inappropriately. With billion-dollar turnovers, they are contributing amounts to the budget that are completely disproportionate to their profits. We have a complete list of such large companies, including well-known construction firms like BI Group, BAZIS, and many others, as well as famous and popular restaurants, fitness clubs, and various companies operating in other sectors of the economy,” noted Bektenov.
Bektenov warned that notifications from the tax authorities will be sent to these companies in the coming days. They will have two weeks to voluntarily submit additional declarations and pay the correct amounts of taxes.
Otherwise, according to the Prime Minister, the state is ready to implement all available measures, including fiscal and law enforcement actions. However, he emphasized that the authorities are open to dialogue if businesses behave responsibly.
“The conversation will be tough, but we are ready for dialogue if business is willing to act fairly towards the state,” stressed Olzhas Bektenov.