Hrant Bagratyan suggests that Church pay taxes (video)
The National Assembly started its Wednesday sitting with the second reading debate of the new tax code. The keynote speaker was Deputy Head of the State Revenue Committee (SRC), Vakhtang Mirumyan, who introduced amendments to the tax code between the first and second readings. The main changes concerned the income tax rates. Mirumyan stressed that the government had reviewed the interest rates on wages. Only the lawmakers, who had submitted their questions in written form, could address their questions to Mr. Mirumyan. Lawmaker Khachatur Kokobelyan noted that the SRC had met them halfway and made certain changes. “However, not much has changed, especially in terms of philosophy. Don’t you think that we should refuse progressive [or graduated] income tax and increase salaries to motivate employees and exclude the shade in the sector? Employers will no longer have to write low salaries.” Vakhtang Mirumyan said the calculations had been made with a lawmaker. Compensation should be done at the expense of the shade,” he said. Hrant Bagratyan, a lawmaker from the Armenian National Congress (HAK) faction, was dissatisfied with Mirumyan’s answers. “I feel cynical attitude towards me. I made a remark and what answers did I receive?! I am asking you serious questions. For example, I wonder how an entrepreneur can make VAT payment. You say he must do it in compliance with the legislation. And this thread continues… I say that not only citizens, but also state agencies should pay real estate taxes. You say that the budget is not enough. Why shouldn’t the Church pay taxes? Let's not forget the history. We have lost twice because of the economic empowerment of the Church. Speaking about the taxation of the Church, Mr. Mirumyan said if the lawmaker insists on it so much, they will consider his proposal. “Taxes will be imposed on real estate in the near future, at present we are not ready for it,” he added.
