Details added (first version posted on 12:48)
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13
By Anvar Mammadov - Trend:
The Azerbaijani Ministry of Taxes intends to pursue a stimulating tax policy, Azerbaijani Minister of Taxes Mikayil Jabbarov said.
Jabbarov made the remarks at the conference "Taxes: Transparency: Development" in Baku Feb. 13.
“This action will contribute to the acceleration of the economic growth,” he said. “The reforms being implemented in the field of taxes will serve to the creation of a transparent tax system and an attractive tax sphere.”
Touching upon an increase in the amount of tax revenues, he added that an expansion of the taxable base will be one of the main goals of the ministry.
"It is necessary to distinguish conscientious taxpayers from those who do not pay taxes,” Jabbarov said. “The conscientious taxpayer has the right to make mistakes. The task of the tax authorities is not to wait for this mistake but to prevent it in every possible way.”
“This approach requires a revision and expansion of the concept - "services rendered to taxpayers",” he said. “The Ministry of Taxes is able to distinguish correct tax planning from tax evasion. We perceive correct tax planning positively, but see tax evasion as a crime. We will do our best to make punishment unavoidable [for this crime]."
Jabbarov added that presently, the Ministry of Taxes proposes taxpayers to pay taxes voluntarily.
"This shows the existence of healthy relations between tax authorities and taxpayers and will serve to enhance the role and authority of entrepreneurs in the society," he said.
“The Ministry of Taxes will restore tax accounting and conduct explanatory work,” Jabbarov said. "We will also train a new generation of tax officers who will see taxpayers as tax partners, having rights besides obligations, rather than victims."