Tax revenues fell by 10.7%

In January-April this year under the country's tax service was transferred to the state budget 2 billion 368 million manat that is 282.4 million manat or 10.7% less than in the comparable period of 2014. Although the tax authorities themselves say that they exceeded the forecast by 1.7%.

According to the Ministry of Taxes, the non-oil sector provided 65.4% (1 billion 549 million manat) of tax charges (this includes state fee for various services). Compared with the same period of 2014 the tax collected from non-oil sector was 137.1 million manat more.

It should be noted that the decline in tax revenues is due to the fall in prices of oil, the main export product of Azerbaijan.

From the beginning of 2015, the tax authorities have stepped up pressure on the private sector and increased intensity of field tax audits. Entrepreneurs are forced to enter into a partnership agreement that provides for the imposition of obligations to transfer to the state budget a certain amount far exceeding the size of payments for previous years. --08B