Universal declaration: who was penalized and who was exempted.

As part of the three phases of the universal declaration system in the Kostanay region, over 196,000 individuals have already participated, including civil servants, employees of the quasi-state sector, business representatives, and their spouses. During the fourth phase, approximately 400 residents of the region will be exempted from this obligation, reports a correspondent from inbusiness.kz.

"Initially, business owners who did not submit their declarations were issued a notification giving them 30 working days to provide their reports. This was followed by administrative penalties, but for the first offense, it was just a warning. Subsequently, accounts were blocked. After these measures, many complied and submitted their reports. However, around 2,000 entrepreneurs still have not done so. In percentage terms, 99% of citizens who were required to submit declarations have done so," said Shynar Zhumabay, head of the non-production payments department of the State Revenue Committee for the Kostanay region, during a briefing.

Regarding the proposal to exempt citizens in the fourth phase of universal declaration from submitting asset and liability declarations, there are approximately 400,000 individuals in the region, including employees of private organizations, pensioners, homemakers, students, and others.

The exemption will affect more than 90% of individuals in this category.

"To record existing assets, a mechanism will be provided for obtaining information from all digital databases, including second-tier banks. Amendments to the personal income tax code are proposed for those who later acquire property worth more than 20,000 MRP (74 million tenge). They must disclose information about the sources of their expenses through the submission of a declaration," explained Azat Isenov, deputy head of the State Revenue Department for the Kostanay region.

According to the spokesperson, citizens have been granted the right to voluntary declaration. Annual declarations will remain for civil servants, managers, founders of quasi-state and private companies, their spouses, as well as for individuals with assets outside Kazakhstan and those receiving taxable income independently.

"From January 1, for individuals engaged in private practice (IPP), including lawyers, notaries, private bailiffs, professional mediators, the requirement to submit a declaration for individual income tax, or Form 240.00, has been abolished. Now, for income earned from private practice, this category must annually report in the income and property declaration (Form 270.00) for the current year regarding the year 2024," Isenov clarified.

According to the deputy head, this year these individuals must simultaneously submit the initial entry declaration of assets and liabilities (Form 250.00) and record their assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2024, if they have not submitted it previously. Declarations must be submitted at the place of residence by September 15, 2025, for income from private practice and individual income tax at the place of location.

"Also, from January 1, for IPP, legislation provides for the application of professional deductions on income from activities conducted in accordance with Articles 361-365 of the Tax Code, provided that these are expenses from private activities for which there are supporting documents and are reflected in tax registers," – Isenov explained.

It was previously reported who will submit declarations in 2025. An expert explained how tax reform will change the lives of Kazakhstanis starting in 2024.