Belarusians About New Taxes: Even Gangsters In 90-ies Were Not Doing Like That!

People resent the new ideas of the government concerning expropriating money from the population.

The car utilization fee has been increased: its rate now is 1.65 times as much as before for legal persons, and 8.25 times as much for natural persons.

According to Barys Zhaliba, Doctor of Economics, the increase of the utilization fee primarily demonstrates the desire of the authorities to find a new way of raising money for the leaky state budget, Salidarnasts writes.

– The problem of abandoned cars in yards certainly exists. But one should understand that in the present day reality many people simply would not be able to utilize their car, – the expert stressed.

According to him, these legal developments could impact those Belarusians who have planned to buy cars in Russia.

– At the moment our authorities are just preoccupied with the problem how to replenish the budget. And how could be done, on whose account? Naturally, at the expense of those citizens who have money for a car, including a purchase of a car in Russia, – Barys Zhaliba said.

The Belarusian Automobile Association declined to comment the news about utilization fee increase.

– The utilization fee has gone up for everyone, what else could be commented here, – officials said.

Back in the end of the last year Avtobiznes newspaper predicted that the utilization fee would go up.

“The utilization fee for natural persons increased by a factor of 9-10 is to influence the import of used cars with an age of more than 3 years. If it is an expensive purchase, its share in the cost is not to be high, but it would be unprofitable to import budget-friendly cars and cheap bone-shakers, as the possible rates of the utilization fee (about Br7.5 million) could become a considerable addition to the expenditures for a car purchase. No matter what developments would follow, one could say definitely that the utilization fee would not become lower. The only question is, how much it would be increased. So if you have plans to buy a car from Russia in the nearest time, you should not postpone it to 2016,” – the newspaper wrote.

What Else Belarusian Automobilists Pay For

Since 2014 Belarusians pay state duties for issuing certificates for access of a car to participation in the traffic. The state duty is paid before tech inspection (once a year – for cars older than 10 years, two times a year for cars younger than 10 years). The rates of the state duty mostly depend on the weight of the car and its owner – a physical person or a legal person.

In 2015 a 50% discount for “transport tax” was introduced for pensioners. However, in 2016 it was reversed as a number of other benefits and exemptions.

Response Of Belarusian Internet

The news about the utilization fee increase is excitedly discussed at talks.by discussion platform.

“Well, they can do it when they want! We thought they have run out of ideas and their imagination failed them, but it is not so! Our almighty persons know how to replenish the budget! And what about giving your kidney mandatory, as a tax on stability and “with the aim of raising money for the country’s budget”! Why not? Everything is for the people!”

“Eightfold, that is, by 800% for common citizens – they are lost to all sense of shame.”

“They have invented a new exaction. And notably, the exaction has been invented by the Kremlin, while our officials are “at their orders. What a wonderful situation.”

“It’s a supreme stupidity to impose such fees and a pseudo-utilization fee without having one’s own car industry. I would understand these actions for truck probably. But it’s a rip-off.”

“Even gangsters in the 1990-ies were not acting this way! They are going to take our last pants off soon. In Switzerland it is planned that every citizen is to be given 2500 francs, simply for being a citizen of this country! And in our country [the fee has gone up] 8 times, here you are!”