Tax Exemption for Bloggers: Kyrgyzstan's Tax Chief Explains Criteria

Almambet Shykymamatov, the head of Kyrgyzstan's State Tax Service, has stated that there will be no specific criteria established to define who qualifies as a blogger for tax exemption purposes. The sole condition for benefiting from these tax breaks is the receipt of income from advertising.

Shykymamatov emphasized that factors such as the number of followers will not be considered. He explained, "The most important condition is that a person receives money for advertising. That's all. The number of subscribers and so on will not be taken into account." He used himself as an example, noting that despite having many followers, he is not considered a blogger because he does not place advertisements.

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The most important condition is that a person receives money for advertising. That's all. The number of subscribers and so on will not be taken into account.

Currently, bloggers in Kyrgyzstan are exempt from taxes for a period of five years. This measure is part of a broader effort to bring the sector into the formal economy. Shykymamatov indicated that after this initial period, bloggers will be expected to pay taxes, stating, "For now, we are exempting them for 5 years, but then they will start paying, after we whiten the sector."

Previously, it was reported that the tax exemption pertained to the single tax, and eligibility required residency in the Park of High Technologies and the Park of Creative Industries. President Sadyr Жапаров signed a decree granting a five-year tax exemption to subjects of creative and artistic activities. The tax service asserts it has systems in place to track payments received by bloggers from clients.

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For now, we are exempting them for 5 years, but then they will start paying, after we whiten the sector.