Shumchanka: New conditions may be unfeasible for some entrepreneurs
Chairman of the public association of entrepreneurs Perspektyva warns that raising taxes for entrepreneurs will affect prices.
Belarusian officials have prepared a draft presidential decree, saying that entrepreneurs will be able to sell products without a certificate of the Customs Union, but they will have to pay more taxes. In the commentary to Euroradio chairman of the NGO Perspektyva Anatol Shumchanka noted that tax inspections are already supposed to have the document with instructions to work with entrepreneurs on the same terms. This suggests that in the near future a certain part of the sales points in the markets will resume they work.
However, Shumchanka notes that everyone must take into account all the risks, as Lukashenka's decree 222 is still not canceled. It says that entrepreneurs are not allowed to sell goods without certificates starting March 1.
Shumchanka: "Legally, these tax statements cannot be stronger than decree 222. And it had not even been suspended! I asked the representative of the Ministry of Taxes and Duties: you will not check us, and what about others? She said that she cannot speak for others."
In addition, today almost nothing is known about the new decree and its conditions. It is only clear that in the case of trade without certificates, payment of the single tax will be done with the step-up factor of 2 and the VAT will be increased.
Shumchanka: "This decree should take into account the opinions of the business community. It seems to me that there should be differentiation. For example, Minsk entrepreneurs working in the center, are richer and will be able to pay the tax. But for entrepreneurs who sell goods on the market, or those from regions which are already now trying make ends meet, everything will be much worse!"
Shumchanka adds that such innovation will necessarily affect the prices of goods. And it is unlikely to be good news for buyers. But to saying something concrete is premature. It is worth waiting for the document text, the signing of which is planned for the near future.
Many businesses stopped trading, as in accordance with the decree 222 of Alyaksandr Lukashenka, they could not sell light industry goods without certificates of the Customs Union starting March 1.
