Lukashenka Complicates Conditions For Independent Newspaper’s Distribution :: Charter'97 :: News

The taxation rules for distribution of independent newspapers via retail trade have been changed. According to the recent decree by Alyaksandr Lukashenka “On some measures for regulation of entrepreneurs’ activities” selling newspapers and magazines is excluded from the list of businesses where single tax is used.

A. Lukashenka has approved the new list of lines of business, in which sole traders are to pay single tax. Small-scale businessmen, who sell press, have noticed that newspapers and magazines have been excluded from that list. Minsk entrepreneurs who sell newspapers are sure that it has been done intentionally.
“Using this decree Lukashenka has started the attack against independent press, even against the usual commercial editions like newspapers of crosswords and detective stories, gloss magazines,” Radio Svaboda informs.

The single tax which sole traders had to pay before, in general satisfied this category of self-employed entrepreneurs. The average value of this tax, depending on the region, was amounting to 20-30 Euro. Now the scheme of taxation has been changed.

“Income duty is imposed on those selling newspapers and magazines. Now the businessmen are to pay income duty, local taxes and other taxes. And since November 1 cash registers and checks are introduced, according the decree. We do not know why it has been decided so,” “Radio Svaboda” was told by the representative of the Taxes Ministry, who refused to tell her name.

Economy and Information Ministries have refused to reveal the official reasons for cancellation of single tax for sole traders selling newspapers and magazines.

According to the Belarusian Association of Journalists, the changes in the tax system correspond the present policy of the authorities in reference to independent newspapers, and in particular to their distribution.

“Many problems arise. In recent times retail of independent editions is becoming more and more restricted. Executive committees have started to demand approval of the range of newspapers and magazines sold by enterpreneurs. It has lead to a situation when numerous food stores refused to sell these newspapers. Only sole traders remained. And now we see they also have lots of difficulties,” deputy head of the Belarusian Association of Journalists Andrei Bastunets said.