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INTRODUCTION OF CASH REGISTERS IS REMINISCENT OF BOLSHEVIKS-ORGANIZED DISPOSSESSION OF KULAKS, ANDRANIK TEVANIAN SAYS
Noyan Tapan
Feb 18, 2009
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 18, NOYAN TAPAN. Subjecting the small and medium
business to a "tax terror" by means of cash registers is reminiscent
of the process of dispossession of kulaks (rich peasants) organized by
the Bolshevik authorities, economist Andranik Tevanian, the head of
"Political Economy" Institute of Political and Social Studies, said
at the February 18 press conference. In his words, it is praiseworthy
that the authorities decided to struggle against the shadow sector,
but they mistakenly believe that this struggle should start from small
and medium business. "Until they get to big businessmen, the small
and medium ones will disappear. So, which is more important for us:
to eliminate the shadow economy or people?" the economist asked.
He added that in general, the Armenian government distorts all lofty
ideas, in particular the fight against corruption has been distorted
to such an extent that "one unwillingly wants to say: "Long live
corruption". "A hot line based on an "information mechanism" was
created by the same Bolshevik method, as a result of which corruption
has become more widespread: tax inspectors offer the entities not
using cash registers that instead of paying a 100 thousand dram fine,
they give them a bribe of 30-40 thousand drams against not drawing
up a report.
As regards lotteries with the use of receipts of cash registers,
A. Tevanian said that on the one hand they cause lottery mania
among people, while on the other hand they have a negative impact on
buyer-seller relations.
Summarizing his speech, A. Tevanian noted that he considers it
unacceptable to implement reforms by strangling businesses. In his
opinion, fixed payments should be used at the moment, while the use
of cash registers should be reviewed in the future.
Speaking about the government decision to exempt carpet making sector
from profit tax and VAT, A. Tevanian said that the given sector has
always been exempt from these taxes. In his words, carpet makers
have never paid profit tax due to the absence of profit, and they
were exempt from VAT because in Armenia, VAT for exported goods is
returned to exporters.
Noyan Tapan
Feb 18, 2009
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 18, NOYAN TAPAN. Subjecting the small and medium
business to a "tax terror" by means of cash registers is reminiscent
of the process of dispossession of kulaks (rich peasants) organized by
the Bolshevik authorities, economist Andranik Tevanian, the head of
"Political Economy" Institute of Political and Social Studies, said
at the February 18 press conference. In his words, it is praiseworthy
that the authorities decided to struggle against the shadow sector,
but they mistakenly believe that this struggle should start from small
and medium business. "Until they get to big businessmen, the small
and medium ones will disappear. So, which is more important for us:
to eliminate the shadow economy or people?" the economist asked.
He added that in general, the Armenian government distorts all lofty
ideas, in particular the fight against corruption has been distorted
to such an extent that "one unwillingly wants to say: "Long live
corruption". "A hot line based on an "information mechanism" was
created by the same Bolshevik method, as a result of which corruption
has become more widespread: tax inspectors offer the entities not
using cash registers that instead of paying a 100 thousand dram fine,
they give them a bribe of 30-40 thousand drams against not drawing
up a report.
As regards lotteries with the use of receipts of cash registers,
A. Tevanian said that on the one hand they cause lottery mania
among people, while on the other hand they have a negative impact on
buyer-seller relations.
Summarizing his speech, A. Tevanian noted that he considers it
unacceptable to implement reforms by strangling businesses. In his
opinion, fixed payments should be used at the moment, while the use
of cash registers should be reviewed in the future.
Speaking about the government decision to exempt carpet making sector
from profit tax and VAT, A. Tevanian said that the given sector has
always been exempt from these taxes. In his words, carpet makers
have never paid profit tax due to the absence of profit, and they
were exempt from VAT because in Armenia, VAT for exported goods is
returned to exporters.