On April 21, an open dialogue was held at the “Uzbekconcert” building in Tashkent, with the participation of Culture Minister Ozodbek Nazarbekov and representatives of the artistic community. The main topic of discussion was a proposed new system for taxing artists' incomes. The minister emphasized that the project has not yet been officially approved, but the debate has revealed a significant lack of knowledge and misconceptions about taxation among many artists.

Nazarbekov noted that some artists have adopted a stance of “we won’t pay taxes,” while others are unaware of the taxes they already pay. He acknowledged that the current tax system is flawed and stated that the new project is being discussed to find a healthier solution. According to the minister, the question of “Should we pay taxes or not?” is misguided, as every citizen must contribute, which is essential for societal development.

The minister highlighted the importance of taxes, reminding attendees that they fund state-provided services such as security, education, and social welfare. He stated, “Your peaceful sleep, your children going to school – all of this is made possible through taxes.” Nazarbekov allowed for debate on the amount of taxes but called refusal to pay an act devoid of conscience.

During the discussion, previous comments by singer Jahongir Otajonov were referenced; he had expressed willingness to pay income tax but opposed pressure from “Uzbekconcert” for artists to provide free services. Nazarbekov clarified that the new system is based on a “one service – one payment” principle, which may include taxation even for free services.

Earlier, in April 2025, First Deputy Chairman of the Tax Committee Mubin Mirzayev announced plans to strengthen the declaration and taxation procedures for artists' incomes starting January 1, 2027. The new project envisions mandatory registration of all artists' services from September 1, aimed at improving oversight of tax payments in this sector.

Source: www.gazeta.uz