Armenian citizens may be allowed to send part of their income tax to media outlets, NGOs, and political parties
17.09.2026,
15:27
When filing their tax returns, Armenian citizens will be able to independently select a public organization, media outlet, or political party to which funds from their income tax will be allocated.
YEREVAN, September 17. /ARKA/. When filing their tax returns, Armenian citizens will be able to independently select a public organization, media outlet, or political party to which funds from their income tax will be allocated. The Armenian government approved the corresponding legislative initiative at a meeting on Thursday.
Armenian Finance Minister Vahe Hovhannisyan presented the new mechanism.
He recalled that Armenia already has an income declaration system in place, under which citizens can reclaim part of the funds spent on education and healthcare through the social expenditure mechanism.
The government proposes expanding the definition of social expenditure to include the possibility of financial support for public organizations, media outlets, and political parties using income tax paid by individuals.
How the mechanism will work
According to Hovhannisyan, the tax authority will compile and publish lists of public organizations, media outlets, and parties to which citizens will be able to send funds.
These lists will be available to organizations that meet established criteria and submit reports on their activities to the tax authorities.
When completing a tax return, citizens will be able to select an organization and indicate the amount they wish to donate to it, after which government agencies will arrange for the transfer of funds.
Citizens will be able to donate funds to all three categories—civil organizations, media outlets, and political parties.
The government will determine the scope of the system's participants, the criteria applicable to them, and the maximum transfer amount.
How the authorities explain the initiative
Hovhannisyan stated that the goal of the initiative is to increase the financial independence and transparency of civil society organizations, media outlets, and parties, develop freedom of speech, and strengthen their ties with the public.
According to him, civil society organizations, media outlets, and parties are called upon to represent and protect the interests of various segments of society.
"Therefore, we are creating independent funding mechanisms to ensure that these interests are protected as impartially as possible, while developing democratic structures," the minister said.
On September 17, the Armenian government approved a legislative initiative to amend and supplement the Tax Code. The bill will be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has instructed that the issue be developed so that the mechanism becomes operational in 2027.
The final criteria for the participation of public organizations, media outlets, and political parties, as well as the maximum amounts of funds allocated to them, have not yet been established.
Armenian Finance Minister Vahe Hovhannisyan presented the new mechanism.
He recalled that Armenia already has an income declaration system in place, under which citizens can reclaim part of the funds spent on education and healthcare through the social expenditure mechanism.
The government proposes expanding the definition of social expenditure to include the possibility of financial support for public organizations, media outlets, and political parties using income tax paid by individuals.
How the mechanism will work
According to Hovhannisyan, the tax authority will compile and publish lists of public organizations, media outlets, and parties to which citizens will be able to send funds.
These lists will be available to organizations that meet established criteria and submit reports on their activities to the tax authorities.
When completing a tax return, citizens will be able to select an organization and indicate the amount they wish to donate to it, after which government agencies will arrange for the transfer of funds.
Citizens will be able to donate funds to all three categories—civil organizations, media outlets, and political parties.
The government will determine the scope of the system's participants, the criteria applicable to them, and the maximum transfer amount.
How the authorities explain the initiative
Hovhannisyan stated that the goal of the initiative is to increase the financial independence and transparency of civil society organizations, media outlets, and parties, develop freedom of speech, and strengthen their ties with the public.
According to him, civil society organizations, media outlets, and parties are called upon to represent and protect the interests of various segments of society.
"Therefore, we are creating independent funding mechanisms to ensure that these interests are protected as impartially as possible, while developing democratic structures," the minister said.
On September 17, the Armenian government approved a legislative initiative to amend and supplement the Tax Code. The bill will be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has instructed that the issue be developed so that the mechanism becomes operational in 2027.
The final criteria for the participation of public organizations, media outlets, and political parties, as well as the maximum amounts of funds allocated to them, have not yet been established.
