I Don't Care About My Wallet, This Is a Matter of Dignity: Business Owner

I don't care about my wallet, this is a matter of dignity. Let the people rise, enough with the daily tax hikes. This was stated by one of the traders from the gold market during a protest rally near the government building in a conversation with NEWS.am.

They are protesting against the increase of the turnover tax rate from 5 percent to 10 percent starting January 1.

“Double accounting has gone from 5,000 to 10,000, and the VAT tax has increased from 1,008 to 1,600. The price of gold has gone up, which doesn’t benefit us; it fills the state budget. I buy gold for 30 dollars and sell it for 40. Today, gold is priced at 90-70 dollars—does that money go in my pocket? I buy from you for 60 dollars and sell it for 62. Whether it’s Nikol or whoever, they should first take care of our country’s borders, protect the soldiers, and not encroach on our pockets.

This is a matter of our dignity; it’s not about money. Our rights are being violated. Over the past year, I have put back 100,000 drams, but I have paid 1.5 million in taxes to the state budget,” said a participant in the protest rally during the interview with the media.

More details can be found in the video.