DINKIC: Radical tax administration reform as of January

A radical tax administration reform will be carried out in the next two years, and by the end of 2014, Serbia will have a modern tax system with the electronic payment model, and without excessive paperwork, Minister of Finance and Economy Mladjan Dinkic announced on Monday.

Aspirants for the positions of the director of the Tax Administration can submit their applications until October 31, which will be followed by the selection process, and in 2013 we will set to a serious tax administration reform, Dinkic told reporters after the consultations on tax system at Vojvodina's Chamber of Commerce.

Our goal is to introduce a single information system as of 2013 and then introduce electronic tax forms in 2014, which would significantly simplify tax procedures, he explained.

In terms of the tax system's efficiency and simplicity, Serbia holds a rather low position, Dinkic said, noting that the tax in Serbia was paid 66 times a year, while taxpayers in Sweden paid it just twice a year.

The minister emphasized that around five million forms were submitted to the Tax Administration for one purpose only, adding that Serbia had a poor information system and communication between branch offices, as well as that inspectors did not apply the same criteria.

The reform is also aimed at clearing redundant entries, so that inspectors can fully dedicate to their job, i.e. control, Dinkic said.

The minister also noted that the tax administration reform would be successful if backed by businessmen and bookkeepers.

- The tax reform is the backbone of the state's financial system, but it has to be in the interest of economy too - Dinkic concluded.