Merchants in Artashat protest against "tax terror": Head of State Revenue Committee promises to study the situation

Naira Badalian. Today, on August 13, early in the morning a protest action started in Armenian Artashat, held by entrepreneurs of small and medium-sized businesses. The latter closed their stores, gathered opposite the local branch of the State Revenue Committee (KGD) and accused it of “tax terror”.

According to the protesters, tax officials terrorize the whole city – large groups of officials conduct inspections, small retail outlets are fined with unbearable amounts. ” They are instructed to check cash registers, and when they do not find any violations, they begin to check the workers by their own initiative. Within the law they carry out deliberate persecution, “they said. This situation, as pointed out by protesters, has been observed for many years – tax officials abuse their position and rank”.

Chairman of the State Revenue Committee of Armenia David Ananyan arrived to meet with the traders at the place of the protest action. After listening to them, the head of the tax and customs department promised to carry out an official investigation. At the same time, the head of the department pointed to the need for documentary confirmation of the claims, because demanding to punish an employee without facts, means – to ask to breach the law. “I see that there are grounds for conducting an official investigation, we will hold it and make an appropriate decision. Prior to that I will ask to ease the administration, go and work in your shops. If there are any problems call me or Mr. Mashadyan (deputy chairman of the State Revenue Committee, ed. note) “said Ananyan. At the same time, he pointed out that it is planned to make appropriate amendments to the Tax Code of the country in September, which will solve many of today’s problematic issues.