Astana IT University has joined the MIT Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS) to support world-class education in artificial intelligence and data science accessible to professionals in Kazakhstan, Central Asia, and across the broader Eurasian space. This is also the first MIT IDSS collaboration in the Eurasian region.The first discussions between the two institutions began in autumn 2025. Those negotiations resulted in Astana IT University joining the IDSS Strategic Partnership in Education program. This program will help to expand Astana IT University’s presence within the global academic network and enable the university to introduce advanced practices and innovative approaches into its academic activities. The project launches in a year declared by President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev as the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. Under his leadership, Kazakhstan has set an ambitious course toward becoming a regional technology leader — and the collaboration between AITU and MIT IDSS directly embodies that ambition, connecting the country's talent with the institution that defines the global frontier of AI and data science. Two complementary tracks form the core of the IDSS Strategic Partnership in Education. The 12-week program “AI and Data Science: Leveraging Responsible AI, Data and Statistics for Practical Impact” is designed for professionals and managers who need an applied foundation in AI, data science, machine learning, generative AI, and responsible data practices. The 3-day executive intensive “Fundamentals of AI for Leaders in Public and Private Sectors” is designed for senior executives in the public and private sectors who make decisions at the intersection of AI strategy, ethics, and regulation; it will be personally delivered by Professor Munther Dahleh — founder and first director of MIT IDSS — on the Astana IT University campus on June 17–19 as part of AI Week.Both tracks are based on the MIT IDSS curriculum and are supported by MIT faculty, providing participants with exposure to world-class expertise without leaving the region. This positions AITU as a gateway connecting local talent with the knowledge shaping the global future of AI and data.The next milestone is AI Week at Astana IT University on June 17–19. As part of AI Week, the 3-day intensive “Fundamentals of AI for Leaders in Public and Private Sectors” will be personally delivered by Professor Munther Dahleh — William A. Coolidge Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) at MIT, and founder and first director of MIT Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS). His visit to Astana marks the first direct visit by senior MIT IDSS leadership, offering leaders from Kazakhstan and across Eurasia a unique opportunity to work directly with one of the world’s leading researchers in AI, data, and network systems.«This collaboration reflects our commitment to expanding access to rigorous, practice-driven AI and data science education globally, particularly at a time when AI is increasingly shaping economies and societies,»  - said Professor Munther Dahleh, William A. Coolidge Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT, and instructor for ‘Ethical and Responsible AI’. «We are pleased to support the development of talent equipped to use these technologies responsibly across diverse regions and sectors».  «Becoming a member of MIT IDSS opens a new chapter for Astana IT University and for the entire region in building talent that will define the technological agenda for decades to come. When the world's top university recognizes you as a member, that is a quality benchmark» — Altair Akhmetov, Rector of Astana IT University. About Professor Munther DahlehProfessor Munther Dahleh is the William A. Coolidge Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) at MIT and a member of the Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems (LIDS). He is the founder and first director of MIT Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS), which he led from its founding in 2015 until 2023; he previously served as Associate Department Head of EECS. Professor Dahleh has received international recognition for foundational contributions to robust control theory, computational methods for controller design, the interplay between information and control, fundamental limits of learning and decision-making in networked systems, and work on detecting and mitigating systemic risks in interconnected networks. His research interests span networked systems, social networks, systemic risk, and transportation systems.About MIT IDSSThe MIT Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS) advances education, research and innovation at the intersection of data science, systems, statistics and social sciences. Founded in 2015, IDSS brings together faculty across MIT to address complex societal challenges through interdisciplinary approaches. Through its educational partnerships, IDSS aims to develop rigorous and practical approaches for understanding and improving complex systems in society. About Astana IT UniversityAstana IT University is a specialized technology university located in Astana, Kazakhstan. Founded in 2019 by The NNEF Public Foundation, AITU offers undergraduate and continuing education programs in IT, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, and digital public administration, serving as Kazakhstan’s and the Eurasian region’s national platform for advanced technological education. The university works in close collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, industry partners, and leading international academic partners.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/maidd/press/news/details/1213780?lang=kk

       In March–April 2026, the State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan sent taxpayers desk control notifications regarding value-added tax (VAT) returns (Form 300.00) titled “On understatement of sales amounts and overstatement of purchases of goods, works, and services for VAT purposes.”      The notifications were triggered by identified discrepancies, including:understatement of VAT on goods, works, and services sold;overstatement of VAT claimed for credit.     The notifications were generated automatically based on cross-checking data from electronic invoices, cash registers, and tax reporting.     The deadline for compliance with the notification is 30 business days (approximately 45 calendar days).     Depending on the situation, the taxpayer must:in case of agreement with the discrepancies, submit an amended tax return;in case of disagreement, provide a written explanation substantiating the absence of violations.      Please note that submitting an explanation or correcting the tax return serves as a basis for closing the desk audit.      If the notification is not complied with within the set deadline, enforcement measures to secure the fulfillment of tax obligations will be applied. In addition, the tax authority may initiate a tax audit either to verify the submitted explanations or in the absence of any response to the notification.      The State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan urges taxpayers to carefully review the received notifications and take the necessary actions in a timely manner.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kgd/press/news/details/1213793?lang=kk

On April 1, 2026, the Agreement between the Governments of Kazakhstan and Mongolia on Cooperation in the Pension Sector (Agreement) entered into force. It aims to protect the pension rights of citizens of both countries.The Agreement applies to citizens of Kazakhstan and Mongolia who permanently reside in one of the countries and have work experience in Kazakhstan or Mongolia, which will be taken into account when assigning a pension in one of these countries under the laws of the country of residence.The following types of payments shall be provided under the Agreement:in Kazakhstan – old-age pension payments from the national budget, as well as pension payments upon reaching retirement age from compulsory pension contributions and compulsory professional pension contributions from Unified Accumulative Pension Fund (funded pensions);in Mongolia - old-age pensions from the insurance pension fund, with the exception of early pensions for individuals who worked in hazardous or difficult working conditions (in this case, they are paid from the insurance pension fund in the manner and under the conditions stipulated by Mongolian social security legislation).An application for an old-age pension from budgetary funds in Kazakhstan and an old-age pension in Mongolia, along with the required documents stipulated by the legislation of the country of residence, shall be submitted by the applicant to the competent authority of the country of residence.Citizens of Mongolia may also submit an application for a funded pension from UAPF, along with the required documents, to the competent authority of either country.The authorized bodies for the implementation of the Agreement are:- in Kazakhstan - the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan;- in Mongolia - the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Mongolia.The competent authorities in Kazakhstan for the implementation of the Agreement are:· UAPF, which handles funded pension issues. Its functions include receiving applications and documents from citizens of Mongolia with pension savings in UAPF or their representatives, processing the information and documents, making decisions on the assignment or refusal of funded pensions, and implementing funded pension payments;· the Committee for Regulation and Control of Social Protection of the Population of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan (the Committee), which verifies work experience and submits inquiries regarding work experience when assigning old-age pensions in Kazakhstan and Mongolia. If a citizen of Mongolia is assigned a pension in Kazakhstan, a request is sent, if necessary, to the competent authority in Mongolia to confirm the work experience acquired in Mongolia. In turn, upon request from the Mongolian side, the Committee provides information on the work experience of citizens of Kazakhstan if they are assigned a pension in Mongolia.Citizens of Mongolia receive their funded pension from UAPF:if the funded pension recipient, who has reached retirement age under Kazakhstan law (63 for men and 61 in 2026 for women), leaves Kazakhstan for permanent residence in Mongolia, provided that their departure for permanent residence is recorded in the State Database of Individuals (SDBI) (lump sum payments of pension savings related to departure for permanent residence are not provided);monthly to the recipient's account in the national currency of Mongolia (tugrik).The adoption of the Agreement between Kazakhstan and Mongolia is an important step in the development of international cooperation in the pension sector. It ensures the preservation of pension rights for citizens who worked in both countries and makes the pension assignment process more convenient and transparent. The implementation of the Agreement will allow citizens to take into account work experience acquired abroad and receive pension payments in accordance with the laws of the country of residence, which is especially important in the context of increasing labor mobility of the population.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/aqmola-selinograd/press/news/details/1213808?lang=kk

On changes in excise tax rates from 2026The new Tax Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan provides for significant changes in the regulation of excise taxes aimed at strengthening the revenue base of the budget, increasing the fairness of the tax system and strengthening control over the turnover of excisable goods.Since January 1, 2026, excise tax rates on excisable goods have been increased by 10%.Alcoholic products:ethyl alcohol with a concentration of 80% and above — 600 ₸/l;ethyl alcohol less than 80% — 2,550 ₸/l (in terms of 100% alcohol);alcoholic products (excluding wine, wine materials, beer and beer drinks) — 2,805 ₸/l (100% alcohol);wine — 38 ₸/l;wine materials — 187 ₸/l;beer and beer drinks — 99 ₸/l, with an alcohol content of < 0.5% — 0 ₸/l.Tobacco products:cigarettes:• 2026 — 18 051 ₸/1000 pieces;• 2027 — 21,163 ₸/1000 pieces;• 2028 — 21,880 ₸/1,000 pieces;• 2029 — 23 279 ₸/1000 pieces;• starting in 2030 — 25,607 ₸/1000 pieces;pipe tobacco and hookah tobacco:• 2026 — 15,863 ₸/kg, with a gradual increase to 22,791 ₸/kg by 2030;products with heated tobacco:• 2026 — 11 230 ₸/1000 pieces, with an increase to 12 803 ₸/1000 pieces from 2030.Petroleum products and fuel:Wholesale sales:gasoline — 38,134 ₸/ton;diesel fuel — 35,726 ₸/ton;gas coal, nefras, ecological fuel — 38,134 ₸/ton.Retail sales:gasoline — 500 ₸/ton;diesel fuel — 60 ₸/ton;gasohol, benzanol, nefras, mixtures of light hydrocarbons and ecological fuels — 500 ₸/ton.Energy drinks (excise tax introduced for the first time):2026 — 100 ₸/l;2027 — 140 ₸/l;2028 — 180 ₸/l;2029 — 200 ₸/l;starting in 2030 — 240 ₸/liter.This measure is aimed at regulating the consumption of products that have a stimulating effect, especially among young people, as well as additional replenishment of the budget.Taxation of luxury goods:From 2026, the list of excisable goods includes:passenger cars priced from 18,000 MCI — a rate of 10% of the cost;vessels (ships, yachts) cost from 24,000 MCI — 10%;aircraft (planes) cost from 24,000 MCI — 10%.The introduction of these regulations implements the principle of fair taxation and provides for an additional tax burden for owners of expensive assets.It should be noted that in accordance with the Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated September 24, 2014 No. 1011, the formation of state policy in the field of licensing and licensing system falls within the competence of the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kgd-kostanay/press/news/details/1213829?lang=kk

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/almobl/press/news/details/1213744?lang=kk