Under What Conditions Will Taxpayer Penalties Be Nullified: Discussion in the National Assembly

The Economic Affairs Committee of the National Assembly discussed the draft law on amendments to the Tax Code of the Republic of Armenia on September 4 during its first reading. The draft was presented by Suren Tumasyan, the head of the State Committee of Real Estate Cadastre. According to him, as a result of the adoption of the draft, diligent taxpayers will pay the updated (additional) tax amount, but penalties will not be calculated against them within established timelines.

The press service of the National Assembly reported that he clarified that during 2011-2012, there was mass digitization in the sector with certain inaccuracies and shortcomings, and now the bill proposes to correct these shortcomings without penalizing citizens.

“This is only a good tool for the diligent taxpayer. If they have fulfilled their tax obligations, then those penalties are nullified. However, if they have not fulfilled their tax obligations and have not paid during those years, then those penalties are not nullified for them. In other words, this helps the diligent taxpayer,” the reporter explained.

He also added that in any case, a citizen must fulfill their tax obligations. To date, data concerning approximately 80,000 real estate properties have been clarified.

Members of the Assembly expressed various opinions regarding the draft. The Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Babken Tunyan, suggested addressing the lawmakers’ positions before the second reading. The committee has given a positive conclusion on the draft.