Armenia intends to reduce congestion at border checkpoints

YEREVAN, November 5. /ARКА/. During its meeting on Wednesday, the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs of the Armenian Parliament endorsed a set of legislative initiatives that suggest modifications and additions to the Tax Code and the Law On State Duty.

According to Hamlet Sahakyan, Deputy Head of the State Revenue Committee, these amendments are designed to ease the congestion that arises at land border checkpoints when collecting taxes and fees from incoming vehicles.

"The proposed changes to the Law On State Duty include waiving the 5,000 drams state duty at the border (for imported goods) and partially increasing it upon declaration," he stated, emphasizing that these modifications do not impose an additional burden on businesses and may even lessen it in certain instances.

The suggested amendments specifically indicate that the deadline for environmental tax payments should be set for the 15th working day after crossing the Armenian border, but no later than when exiting the country. Additionally, it is proposed that the road tax be settled within 15 days of crossing the border, but again, no later than upon exiting the country.

The draft legislation proposes to establish consistent environmental tax rates for harmful substance emissions into the atmosphere from vehicles not registered in Armenia that enter the country.

This is supported by the existence of appropriate legislative mechanisms, including administrative penalties, for emissions that exceed established limits. Furthermore, it is noted that conducting measurements at state border checkpoints is impractical.

Additionally, it is proposed to exempt road tax payers – owners of commercial vehicles not registered in Armenia – from road tax for the duration when the vehicle cannot leave the Republic of Armenia due to impassable road conditions.-0-