Today, at an expanded meeting of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered a closing speech, paying special attention to the implementation of the new Tax Code, strengthening fiscal discipline, and effective management of budget funds. According to the President, tax and budget policy should serve the sustainable development of the economy and increase the well-being of the population.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that the new Tax Code, which came into force this year, is aimed at strengthening economic transparency and discipline. There are also initial results. According to the Ministry of Economy, more than 180 thousand people have been legally registered as taxpayers since the introduction of the new tax regime for self-employed citizens. The government estimates that as a result of the tax reform, an additional 4.4 trillion tenge will be received by the budget this year.

However, the President strictly warned that in order to achieve the planned indicators, it is unacceptable to stifle business with excessive taxes or unreasonable pressure. In his opinion, the right way to fill the budget is through effective tax administration. In this regard, the Head of State instructed to urgently begin mass digitization of the tax system.

The President stressed the need for a fundamental change in the approach to taxation, emphasizing the need to get rid of the "punitive mentality." The relationship between tax authorities and taxpayers should be based on trust, partnership, and mutual responsibility. Only effective interaction between the state and business will give impetus to economic development.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted the need for banks, aggregators and marketplaces to be fully involved in the tax administration system. The State Revenue Committee should become a “fiscal data factory” operating in a fully digital mode. According to the President’s instructions, a digital approach to managing the tax and customs system should be fully implemented by the end of 2027. This is a task of strategic importance.

The Head of State also instructed to urgently launch the National Catalog of Goods and the Register of Domestic Producers, and to expand the digital labeling system. However, this process should not harm production and the investment climate. The President noted that the decisions of some ministries are causing concern for domestic and foreign companies, and strictly warned against such actions.

Another important direction of fiscal policy is the efficiency of budget expenditures. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that it is necessary to completely revise all budget programs in order to reduce state spending. The Ministries of Finance and Economy were instructed to carry out this work strictly and persistently, without resorting to rhetoric. The practice of relying solely on the indicators of budget spending should be abandoned and priority should be given to the real efficiency of state investment.

The President openly stated that he considers subjective decisions such as allocating funds to projects in order to spend the budget, distributing funds to select individuals, as actions against the interests of the state. Now budget funds should be directed only to projects that bring real benefits to citizens and serve the development of the national economy. The government was instructed to conduct an audit of budget programs and improve financing mechanisms by May 1. This requirement also applies to the quasi-state sector.

The Head of State noted the need for widespread use of digital tenge to increase the transparency of budget expenditures. This tool has already proven its effectiveness in public procurement, subsidies, and the allocation of National Fund funds.

In conclusion, the President touched upon the issue of regional budget planning. The sources of income allocated to the regions and the obligations imposed on them should be balanced. Although the new Budget Code revises inter-budgetary relations, it is necessary to carefully monitor how they are implemented in the regions. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev instructed the Government to take measures to strengthen the financial stability of the regions, noting that accountability should be strictly observed at all levels of government.