Finance Minister Madi Takiyev stated at a government meeting that the final stage of universal declaration has been cancelled in Kazakhstan.
According to IA "Kazinform", within the framework of the first three stages, the universal declaration system has already affected 4.8 million people (civil servants, heads and founders of commercial organisations, the quasi-public sector, and their spouses).
It became known that, in implementing the President's instruction, Minister Takiyev proposed exempting the remaining 8 million people (employees of private enterprises, pensioners, housewives, students, and others) from the obligation to submit declarations.
According to him, 14 years have passed since the adoption of the universal declaration concept. During this time:
- databases of state bodies and authorised organisations have been digitised;
- the share of non-cash payments has reached 86%;
- financial and currency controls have been strengthened;
- data exchange on financial accounts has been established within the framework of international agreements (Strasbourg Convention, FATCA, CIS — more than 100 countries);
- digital services have become widespread.
"In this regard, taking into account the capabilities of automated tax control and in implementation of the head of state's instruction to review approaches to universal declaration, it is proposed to exempt this category of citizens from submitting asset and liability declarations. The exemption will affect more than 90% of individuals in this category", said Madi Takiyev.
At the same time, it is proposed to retain declaration requirements for the following citizens:
- those with assets outside the Republic of Kazakhstan;
- those who have made purchases valued at over 20,000 MCI (74 million tenge) during the year;
- those who have received income subject to self-taxation.
In addition, citizens are planned to be granted the right to voluntary declaration.
"As for tax control, to record individuals' existing assets, a mechanism for obtaining information from all digital databases, including second-tier banks, will be ensured. The relevant legislative amendments have been prepared", the minister added.
It is noted that at the first Forum of Agricultural Workers in Astana on 15 November, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev instructed that the issue of cancelling the last stage of declaration be considered.
Recall that in April, deputies of the Mazhilis from the People's Party of Kazakhstan (PPK) expressed doubts regarding the security of personal data when submitting a declaration.
As then Deputy Finance Minister Yerzhan Birzhanov assured, access to declarations is granted only by a special order to a limited circle of employees, who bear personal responsibility for the confidentiality and security of the information.