Expected changes in Kazakhstan in 2021

Tax preferences for business owners, general declaration of income and property, simplified VAT return. The economist Arman Baiganov told Qazaq TV what changes will take place this year. He said that the legislative innovations that came into force on January 1, are primarily aimed at improving the well-being of the population. For example, the right to use pension savings will not only help Kazakh citizens to improve their living conditions, but also pay for the treatment. More than 721,000 residents will be able to use this opportunity already this year. In addition, a phased entry into the general declaration system started in the country from this year onwards. Baiganov said that such a measure is a natural course of development of any promising economy, and therefore Kazakh citizens should welcome new changes without any fear. He stressed that in international practice the declaration of income and property is an effective tool of tax control in the fight against shadow income.

“First of all, there has been a gradual change in the declaration of the population. Initially, there used to be a declaration system for civil servants. Process of declaration for their spouses, relatives and state companies will now be under way. Accordingly, in 2023, declaration will be universal for the entire population step by step. This is an important aspect. Secondly, I would like to point out that there will be an increase in the monthly calculation index and the subsistence minimum. This is a very necessary and timely measure to sustain and develop the economy”, - the economist Arman Baiganov shared his opinion.

From this year, the monthly calculation index is now amounts to 2,917 tenge (US$7), minimum wage remains the same and amounts to 42,500 tenge (US$101), the minimum pension was increased to 43,272 (US$103) and the subsistence minimum rose to 34,302 tenge (US$81). Pension payments have also been increased by 7 percent since the beginning of the year.