Farrukh Pulatov, head of the Tax Committee, stated at an open meeting on April 21 that 419 catering outlets in Tashkent are issuing receipts not under a legal entity but under individual entrepreneurs (IEs) to avoid paying value-added tax (VAT).

According to Pulatov, these establishments are fragmenting their businesses by registering IEs in their own names or in the names of employees and processing transactions through them. “We see and know all this. First we will warn you, and if you don’t come to your senses, the fine will be large,” he said.

The tax chief urged entrepreneurs to operate legally, warning that inspections would lead to regret. He emphasized that violators would first receive a warning, followed by substantial fines if the practice continues.

Davron Vakhabov, head of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, offered to receive the list of these 419 outlets to conduct explanatory work. Deputy Chairman of the Tax Committee Jakhongir Abdiyev added that some entrepreneurs present at the meeting were also hiding income by underreporting employee salaries to 1.3 million soums.

“We wanted to announce and show this, but we decided it would be correct. In short, we will provide you with the list,” Abdiyev said. It is worth noting that legislation permits over 90 types of activities under IE status, but catering (cafes, canteens, restaurants) is not included in this list.

Source: kun.uz