Businesses against new law on taxation procedure

TIRANA, May 26 – Konfindustria, the association of businessmen in the country, have complained that the recent law passed by parliament on taxation procedures, will have a negative consequence on business. The association said the law will further aggravate relations between the business community and the government and will diminish the flat tax reforms hailed by the executive.
They further said it would also prevent more foreign direct investment in Albania at a time when it is also suffering from the power crisis that has affected the entire region and beyond. The association also warned that the new law is not in accordance with the legislation of the European Union, which the country seeks to join one day.
The association further opposes businesses paying a 15 percent fine to authorities before their tax appeals may be heard, as stated in the new law. They request an administrative court to begin judging fines imposed on businesses and not let the taxation department by the sole arbiter. The government, for its part, has said the Administrative Court will begin operating in October of this year.
The association of local businesses appealed to the president not to sign the law, though he has signed it once and is not entitled to sign it a second time. (Tirana Times Staff)