Minsk’s new counter-sanctions target taxation
March 13, Pozirk. The government has announced that it raises corporate income tax for foreign entities from “unfriendly states” from 15 percent to 25 percent from April 1 through the end of 2026.
The measure applies to entities operating without permanent branch offices in Belarus, according to Directive No. 164 dated March 7 published on the National Legal Internet Portal today.
The unfriendly states include the European Union, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the United States, Australia, Canada, and some others.
In addition, on June 1 the government suspends some provisions, mostly those related to dividends and interest, of the double tax treaties with Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Finland, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, the UK and the United States.
The period of applying the measure can be reduced if the circumstances that caused it are removed or if the Ministry of Taxes and Duties decides so, the directive says.
In November 2022, Łukašenka threatened to nationalize foreign-owned companies should they decide to leave Belarus over its complicity in the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Earlier that year, the government compiled a list of Belarusian companies with owners from “unfriendly” countries, prohibiting them from selling their shares.
The original list included 190 entries and was reviewed several times later.
Łukašenka rails against facilitation of asset sales for foreigners
- PoliticsPoland rejects extradition request from BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityVietnam ignored torture convention when extraditing VieramiejčykThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Security
- PoliticsBelarus’, India’s law enforcers discuss cooperationThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyHouseholds’ disposable income up 19 percent from 2023 – BiełstatThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, Politics
- PoliticsBelarus’ top diplomat sounds alarm over NATO activities at CSTO summitThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Security
- PoliticsOpposition leader hails approval of EU commissionersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus keeps leading former Soviet republics in currency depreciation since 1991The material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: Hrodna-based news site owner jailed againThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsPolish parliamentary group For Free Belarus elects new chairmanThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsBelarusian deputy foreign minister meets with Israeli chargé d'affairesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Elections, PoliticsŁukašenka's officials worried about social tensionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyPolish senator to consider Belarusian student issueThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsFormer volunteer fighter declared political prisonerThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityUkraine reports Russian drone incursions into BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka meets with Sharif family in PakistanThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsOpposition group pushes for more sanctions against Minsk in BrusselsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- PoliticsG7 foreign ministers condemn Minsk for supporting Russia's war on UkraineThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyHIV incidence in Belarus drops 14 percent year on year – doctorThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyCadets from Russia-held Ukraine's breakaway region visit HrodnaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja praises Canada’s potash sanctions against MinskThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Elections, PoliticsElection official, Russian journalist lecture military propaganda officers on election threatsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsReprisals: another high treason trial opens in BrestThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyPhilosopher Akudovič wins 2024 Jerzy Giedroyc Literary AwardThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsAndrej Pačobut locked in Navapołack colony's internal prisonThe material is available only to POZIRK+