State Tax Committee exposes large-scale tax evasion across key sectors in Uzbekistan, over 1,400 companies fined

Before the audits, the amount of potential unpaid taxes by these entities was estimated at UZS 8.8 trillion. However, during the inspections, the figure turned out to be even higher – reaching UZS 9.9 trillion, the committee reported.

The largest share of tax evasion attempts was found in trade and catering, which accounted for UZS 5.7 trillion, or 57.6 percent of the total. Manufacturing (UZS 1.2 trillion), construction (UZS 948.7 billion), and services (UZS 775.8 billion) followed. Agriculture (UZS 516.4 billion) and transport (UZS 411 billion) were also identified as sectors where tax bases were frequently concealed.

In total, 1,407 companies were found to have hidden tax bases worth UZS 15.9 trillion. Penalties amounting to UZS 3.2 trillion were imposed on them.

Among these, 512 enterprises concealed UZS 4.8 trillion worth of sales, while 434 companies were found to have UZS 5.4 trillion worth of goods missing from their warehouses or sales points during reconciliation. Additionally, 461 entities stored or sold UZS 5.6 trillion worth of goods without recording them as income.

Earlier, it was reported that more than 4 million people in Uzbekistan work informally without paying taxes. As of August 1 this year, the number of construction companies with tax debts exceeding UZS 100 million reached 1,163, while in manufacturing the figure stood at 998.