Taxation

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Armenia

Armenia passes controversial property tax law despite state of emergency

by OC Media

•4 min read

Armenia’s parliament has approved changes to the way property tax is calculated despite opposition to the bill including criticism of its timing. The changes passed both hearings by 70 votes for, 11 against, and with 2 abstentions during an extraordinary session of parliament on 25 June. If signed by President Armen Sarkissian, the bill will come into effect on 1 January 2021. It has come under fire both for its timing — as the country grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic — and over fears o

Finance Minister Ivane Machavariani. Official photo

Freedom of the Press

Georgian Government to seize overdue taxes from TV companies Kavkasia, Pirveli, and Rustavi 2

by OC Media

•3 min read

Georgia’s finance ministry has notified broadcasters Kavkasia, Pirveli, and Rustavi 2 and their banks that they will begin seizing overdue taxes from the TV companies. At least one regional broadcaster has reportedly received the same notice. On 25 December, the Finance Ministry issued an encashment order against the three Tbilisi-based broadcasters. The Revenu Service declined to confirm the order for privacy reasons however Kavkasia, Pirveli, and Rustavi 2 all confirmed the reports.

Armenia

Armenian Health Ministry unveils ‘comprehensive’ health insurance bill

by OC Media

•5 min read

On 26 November, Armenia’s Minister of Health Arsen Torosyan went live on his Facebook page to discuss a new draft bill proposed by the Ministry of Health. The bill foresees enforcing mandatory health insurance in Armenia by implementing a universal 6% health income tax. The bill was uploaded on e-draft.am, an online platform where draft legal bills are published for the public to see, vote for, and discuss, on November 22. Referred to as comprehensive health insurance, the bill proposes to

Armenia

Rising prices and changing taxes have sparked unrest in Armenia

by Gayane Mkrtchyan

•6 min read

The beginning of 2018 has come to mean two things for Armenians: rising prices for essential goods, and for many, a new tax burden. The opposition Yelk are now confronting the government, encouraging Armenians to take their anger to the streets. Fifty-two-year-old Yerevan resident Aida Martirosyan complains that her family’s already low earnings have suffered a blow from rising prices. ‘In just a month, the price per kilogramme of butter has gone up from ֏2,800 ($6) to ֏5,000 ($10).

Azerbaijan

Charges dropped against Azerbaijan’s Turan news agency

by OC Media

•1 min read

Azerbaijan has dropped criminal charges against independent media outlet the Turan Information Agency and its head, Mehman Aliyev, according to the agency. Turan reported on 2 November that Aliyev had been ‘invited’ to the General Prosecutor’s Office where he met with Rustam Usubov, First Deputy Prosecutor General. Usubov handed Aliyev an official letter confirming the termination of case against him and the agency, they say. The letter reportedly said both cases were terminated on

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan reinstates tax penalties against Turan Information Agency

by OC Media

•2 min read

The Ministry of Taxes of Azerbaijan has reinstated tax penalties against independent news outlet Turan Information Agency only days after the agency was informed the sanctions against them were dropped. According to Turan, the agency received three emails from the Baku department of the Ministry of Taxes on 18 September. The letters, dated 15 September, said that Turan owed ₼37,253 ($21,400) in taxes and additional ₼9,294 ($5,500) as interest for delaying the repayment, the outlet wrote.

Elections

Georgia to keep constitutional ban on tax rises for 12 years

by OC Media

•2 min read

The Head of Georgia’s State Constitutional Commission and Parliamentary Chair, Irakli Kobakhidze, said a constitutional requirement for referenda to be held before new taxes or tax increases can be introduced, which also forbids progressive taxation, will remain in Georgia’s constitution for the next 12 years. Article 94 of Georgia’s Constitution — the Economic Liberty Act — will be preserved until 2029, Kobakhidze said on 19 June. ‘After twelve years, we will be able to move to a new rule