Taxpayers Ombudsman and Business Consultative Council are established in the framework of reforms financed by the Millennium Challenge like two rather important institutions targeting to increase transparency of the fiscal system and its modernization.
TIRANA, March 15ؐrime Minister Sali Berisha presented on Wednesday, at the meeting of the Council of Ministers several amendments to law on tax procedures which target deepening of the reforms in the fiscal system and are related to introduction of the income tax declaration, the establishment of Taxpayers Ombudsman and Business Consultative Council.
Speaking about the income tax declarations made by citizens, PM Berisha emphasized that it is introduced in line with the requirements of the European practices and European Commission on the basis of which the Ministry of Finance will pay back the extra taxes they have paid.
“This document, which I would consider of universal transparency on the incomes of the citizens, – said the prime minister- imposes more obligations on the Ministry of Finance and the country finances to the citizens. On the basis of it, they will be forced to pay back to the citizens by the end of the year all the extra taxes they have paid as the citizens pay taxes in everything they buy. They will collect the bills and will be entitled to the right that in line with their incomes to get back the extra money. Today, this can be hardly noticed. The citizens go shopping and are not aware of the taxes paid, but as a matter of fact they pay the taxes even in every glass of water. I said this when in opposition and I reiterate it twice now I am in power. Hence, we are introducing the income tax declarations made by citizens, a European practice, but delayed here. Other reforms have pushed it now become a major priority.”
In regard to the Taxpayers Ombudsman and Business Consultative Council, PM Berisha said that they are being established in the framework of reforms financed by the Millennium Challenge like two important institutions to further transparency in the fiscal system, the modernization of this system, the voluntarily payment off the tax obligations by the taxpayers, but even the state paying off its obligations to them.
“Taxpayers Ombudsman, which will be located at the venues of the Tax Department, – said the prime minister- has the mission of protecting the rights of taxpayers from the arbitrariness of tax collectors. In the same way, the Tax Consultative Council, which is extraordinarily important in the process of functioning of the tax system, its modernization and increase of transparency, will examine the activity as a whole, the functioning of this system and transparency that this system uses in relation to the taxpayers. Thus, on the one hand is a lower fiscal burden, but on the other hand it must be followed up by a reduction of the bureaucratic burden on their shoulders and we are doing everything to facilitate the business activity.”
Appreciating the fact that the establishment of these two institutions has been the topic of discussion with the business and the citizens, PM Berisha highlighted that extensive consultations with the groups of interest and the communities are a constant condition for all initiatives and decisions of the government.
“No law and no decision about which a group or certain strata or community is interested in, – said the prime minister- cannot be taken to the Council of Ministers without prior consultation with them. This must be our principle. We consult them. Naturally, we cannot reflect all views, but we try to listen as much as possible and find a suitable outcome for the interests of the groups of interest, while having the public interest the first, the interests of communities and certain strata. I think this is a constant of ours, but it should develop.”
