The main objective of the round table was to identify and discuss the norms and provisions of the Tax Code, related to VAT and tax privileges, which require further improvement and introduction of amendments and changes.

The round table was organized under the activities of the UNDP “Public finance reform in Uzbekistan” project aimed at providing assistance to the Government of Uzbekistan in conducting monitoring and analysis of practical implementation of the Revised Tax Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The analytical notes on improving norms and provisions of the Tax Code in the area of VAT and the optimization of tax incentives, prepared by the national experts of the project, as well as recommendations, summarized as a result of the monitoring of practical implementation of the Tax Code, were presented for discussion to the round table participants. In particular, proposals on improving VAT payment for works (services) fulfilled by non-residents through permanent establishment for the residents of Uzbekistan on the territory of Uzbekistan, on mechanisms of VAT payment while implementing construction works with the participation of customer, contractor and subcontractor, on calculation of VAT by enterprises, which do not have taxable turnover during the accounting (tax) period and other related issues were discussed.

Moreover, the discussions also focused on the issues related to filling out of invoices. The participants had an opportunity to discuss the presented draft Regulation on registration and filling out of incoming invoices. The national experts also presented the outcomes of the assessment of tax privileges, proposed the directions and priorities for providing privileges and recommendations on eliminating the tax privileges which proved ineffective. During the discussion concrete proposals on introducing amendments and clarifications to the Tax Code regarding the action mechanism on tax privileges were formulated.

The representatives of the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis, specialists from the Cabinet of Ministers, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Justice, State Tax Committee, State Customs Committee, representatives of international organizations, Chamber of commerce and industry, private sector and independent experts participated in the round table.

The discussion, held with participation of stakeholders, engaged in the development and implementation of tax policy allowed to develop consolidated proposals on improving the norms and provisions on VAT and optimization of tax privileges. As a result of the round table concrete recommendations and proposals have been formulated, that will allow eliminating ambiguity and rule out different understanding and misinterpretation of the Tax Code articles while their practical application.

The developed proposals will be presented to the special intergovernmental group on comprehensive monitoring and analysis of practical implementation of the Tax Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan.