Broadcasters require to maintain media benefit taxation

The National Broadcasters Association (NBA) of Kazakhstan sent an appeal to the president of Kazakhstan, the parliament and the government of RK, with a request to maintain until 1 January, 2010, the currently operating norms of mass media benefit taxation in the Tax Code of RK, KZ-today has been advise by the NBA.

The cancellation of the value added tax on production and distribution of newspapers and journalist products in 2001, as well as an introduction of zero rate VAT on electronic media, says the appeal, promoted the growth of mass media in RK. Thus, the number of created media grew by 20%, the copies of national editions grew by 150%, the volume of own programmes on TV and radio channels increased.

However, these positive tendencies may stop developing due to the expiry as from 1 January 2004 of these articles as per the law “On introduction of the Code of RK “On taxes and other obligatory payments into the budget”.

The maintenance of benefit media taxation complies with the international practice of economic support of the national media market and will help to form a positive image of the state inside the country, as well as abroad.

The NBA is a professional public association of state and private TV and radio broadcasters of the republic. 47 mass media, including 43 TV and radio broadcasting companies from all regions of the republic participate in the association.