Tax Committee ranks last in business oversight assessment

The Tax Committee has ranked last among government bodies overseeing businesses, according to a new assessment published by the Office of the Business Ombudsman.

The ranking evaluates the performance of state institutions that exercise oversight over business entities and was conducted under the Law on Measures to Reliably Protect the Rights and Legitimate Interests of Entrepreneurs. The assessment examined the effectiveness, legality, and quality of inspections, the ombudsman’s office said in a statement.

Based on the results, government bodies were grouped into three categories – “good,” “satisfactory,” and “unsatisfactory” – depending on their total scores.

Several institutions were placed in the highest, “good” category, receiving between 80 and 100 points for what the ombudsman described as balanced and lawful engagement with businesses. The Accounts Chamber topped the list with 95 points, followed by the Archives Agency with 90 points. The Civil Aviation Agency, the Cinematography Agency, and the Committee for the Management of State Reserves each scored 85 points.

According to the assessment, these bodies are characterized by low levels of conflict with entrepreneurs, strict adherence to inspection procedures, and minimal administrative pressure.

A number of major institutions fell into the “satisfactory” category, including the Customs Committee, the Central Bank, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. While their performance was deemed acceptable, the report noted that businesses continue to face excessive requirements, lengthy procedures, and a lack of transparency in certain processes.

The most striking finding of the assessment was the Tax Committee’s position at the bottom of the ranking. It scored just five points, placing it firmly in the “unsatisfactory” category. The Business Ombudsman said tax authorities account for the largest number of complaints filed by entrepreneurs.

Low scores were also recorded for the Cultural Heritage Agency, the Inspectorate for the Regulation of the Alcohol and Tobacco Market, the Cadastral Agency, and several bodies operating in the construction and sanitary oversight sectors.

The Business Ombudsman’s office stressed that the ranking is not intended as a tool to pressure state institutions. Instead, it aims to identify systemic problems in state–business relations and encourage reforms in supervisory and inspection practices.