Barter is a method of exchanging goods and services without the use of money. However, it turns out that even a simple mutually beneficial exchange can lead to tax obligations, reports Tengri Life.
A video is gaining popularity on social media, in which Dina Kusaynova, head of the personal income tax administration at the State Revenue Committee, explained the issue of taxation on barter transactions. The video has garnered over 2,000 views and sparked discussions in the comments.
In her video, Dina Kusaynova clarified that the exchange of goods and services without money is also subject to taxation. She gave an example of bloggers who promote a venue on social media in exchange for a free dinner.
"In this case, the dinner will be considered income for the blogger, and they must pay individual income tax on that income," she explained.
The specialist specified that the tax rate depends on the chosen tax regime.
"If the blogger uses a special tax regime, then they will be taxed according to the rates in special tax regimes. If they operate under the general taxation system, then they will be taxed at a rate of ten percent. If bloggers are not registered as individual entrepreneurs, they will be required to pay ten percent income tax as individuals," Kusaynova emphasized.
She also noted that if the barter transaction is conducted between a blogger and a legal entity, the company may withhold tax from the blogger's income on its own.
"Let's pay taxes to the state budget," the expert concluded.
Commentators under the video received Kusaynova's explanations with a hint of irony. Many users were puzzled about how to calculate the tax on dinner.
"Can I leave you 10 percent of food if I have no money? And bring the leftovers to the tax office?", "Where should I take 10 percent of soup?", "Should I share a cutlet? Or give away 10 percent of dinner? Forgive me for laughing, but they really don't know whose plate to look into," users wrote.
Others, on the contrary, noted that bloggers need to be scrutinized more thoroughly.
"Tax everyone fully," "I've dealt with our bloggers at work—they throw tantrums, use some choice words in conversations, beating their chests: 'I'm a blogger, and I have 100,000 subscribers,' "Tax administration seems to be waking up. Everyone should pay taxes!", "People aren't poor; a couple of stories and they'll pay the tax," commentators underscored.
We reached out to the press service of the State Revenue Committee for a comment. The agency explained that Dina Kusaynova expressed her opinion as a private individual, but confirmed that the information regarding the taxation of barter transactions is accurate.
