End of the "Golden Era": Uzbekistan to finally tax entertainers and they are not happy

Starting September 1, 2026, entertainers in Uzbekistan may be required to pay a specific tax for every wedding performance, with rates ranging from UZS 103,000 to UZS 1.236 million. The final amount will depend on the performer’s official rating and the location of the event. This proposal, recently released for public discussion, has ignited a fierce debate, drawing sharp criticism from famous figures who have effectively operated without paying a penny in income tax.

Under the proposed “One Service – One Payment” principle, artists will be required to log every wedding or private event they attend into the “Soliq” mobile application. This move aims to bring the entertainment industry in line with every other profession in the country – from teachers and doctors to street cleaners – who have always contributed a portion of their income to the state budget.

Creative community split over financial burden

The announcement has triggered a wave of public complaints from various actors, singers, and presenters. Actor and singer Samandar Hamroqulov emphasized that for many, weddings are the sole source of income. He argued that many colleagues have been struggling with debts for years and that imposing even these small future taxes could stifle creative output. According to Hamroqulov, the flashy cars and luxury lifestyles often seen in the industry are frequently financed by credit, masking a reality of financial instability.

Singer Sharof Muqimov echoed these sentiments, stating that it is unfair to judge the entire industry based on a few elite stars. He questioned the ethics of adding a financial burden to an industry that lacks guaranteed income or social safety nets – ignoring the fact that other low-income workers with similar struggles have never been exempt from their tax obligations.

Presenter Abduvosit Sarimsoqov also said many artists face unstable incomes.

However, not all voices in the art world agree. Singer Davron Ergashev criticized colleagues who are asking for continued exemptions, pointing out the vast income disparity between entertainers and average workers. He noted that while a typical citizen might work an entire month to earn $500–600, a popular singer can earn that same amount in just 15 to 20 minutes at a single wedding. Ergashev argued that after decades of tax-free status, it is a matter of "shame" for artists to complain about contributing to the nation.

Global standards and the argument for fairness

The debate raises a fundamental question of social justice. Currently, a kindergarten teacher in Uzbekistan earning UZS 2.5–3 million per month pays a mandatory 12% income tax. Critics argue that it is inherently unfair for entertainers, who can earn a teacher's annual salary in a single night, to evade the same responsibilities that the rest of the population has shouldered for over thirty years.

The government has clarified that the law is not retroactive. No one is being asked to pay taxes on the vast wealth or property accumulated during their decades of exemption. The focus is strictly on future earnings. Furthermore, the proposed law offers a gradual transition; a system linked directly to total income volume would only be fully implemented by 2029, giving the industry years to adapt.

Internationally, entertainers are often the highest taxpayers. In the United States, top stars face federal rates of 37%, often reaching 50% when state taxes are included. Similar progressive systems exist in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.