Business burdened by fines

“The US Chamber of Commerce represents the concerns of more than 200 members who have presented their serious concern about the current tax collection situation. They feel that there is a misinterpretation of the laws, and that there could be abuses by the tax inspectors”, declared David Anderson, President of the US Chamber of Commerce.

“Besides the routine inspections, there is a tendency to fine the private enterprises. Since most of the taxes in Albania are low, we feel that this campaign in fact increases the real business taxes. There are low taxes and very high fines. This is not normal”, declared Luan Bregasi from Business Albania.

Nikolin Jaka who directs the Tirana Chamber of Commerce says that the main problem is not the tax system, but its administration, which allows business to stay unprotected from tax abuses.

“By valuing the fiscal system that we see today in Albania, we have asked the improvement of the tax administration system, since the precedents are that the customs and tax administrations operate through fines that are harsher than what the law provides”, Jaka declared.

Unjust fines have considerable financial consequences for the business.

“For appealing this fine you must pay half of the obligation and half of the fine, which artificially increases the cost of the private enterprise”, Bregasi declared.

The relations between the administration and business seem aggravated. The President of the US Chamber of Commerce say that a perception of a non-friendly climate has been created.

“According to the declarations and testimonies from our members, they’re concerned that the tax policies are not honest and that they are put in financial difficulties. It is very important to have a dialogue with the administration and reach a solution”, Anderson declared.

The opposition asked the government to stop the tax repression towards businesses by accusing the Tax Director of going outside the Ministry’s control.

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