# Ministry of Taxes (Azerbaijan)

The Ministry of the Taxes of Azerbaijan Republic (Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan Respublikası Vergilər Nazirliyi) was the Azerbaijani executive agency that ensured the implementation of state tax policy until 2019 when it was replaced by the State Tax Service under the Ministry of the Economy (Azerbaijan).
Before it was replaced, its role included the timely and full collection of taxes and other revenues to the state budget, and exercised state control within the framework of a single financial and budgetary policy implemented in the Republic of Azerbaijan. On October 23, 2019, the Ministry of Taxes was dissolved and the State Tax Service was established under the Ministry of Economy (Azerbaijan).

## History

First Tax Inspection under the Ministry of Finance of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was established by the decision of the Parliament dated 17 June 1919. Since that time the tax service began its activity.
From 1920 to 1991, tax matters in Azerbaijan were made part of the tax system of the Soviet Union.
After restoration of the independence in July 1990, a Tax Service was set up within the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Azerbaijan to ensure timely and full collection of taxes and other mandatory payments in the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as to ensure the state control over legal and physical persons' compliance with tax legislation and state pricing discipline.
In October 1991, Tax Service was separated from the Ministry of Finance for the purpose of improving supervision over compliance to tax legislation, strengthening the role of the state tax service in this area and ensuring the objectivity of its independent activities and supervision. As a result, the independent body, the State Tax Inspectorate of the Republic of Azerbaijan was established.
By the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated 11 February 2000, the General State Tax Inspectorate was revoked and the Ministry of the Taxes was established to ensure proper state tax policy, timely and full collection of taxes and other mandatory payments as well as state control over that area.
On October 23, 2019, the State Tax Service was established under the Ministry of Economy of the Republic based on the Decree of the President of Azerbaijan on expanding the functions and structure of the Ministry of Economy.

## Duties

The Ministry carried out following duties as defined by the Statute of the Ministry of Taxes of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
* Ensuring supervision over proper calculation of state taxes and other budget revenues of the Republic of Azerbaijan within the authority of tax bodies, timely and full transfer of funds to the state budget and providing control over tax legislation compliance
* Providing taxpayers with information on tax legislation and amendments made to them and giving explanations regarding calculation and payment of taxes
* Ensuring protection of taxpayers' rights and legitimate interests
* Investigating issues of tax offences and taking appropriate measures within its competence to eliminate such cases
* To execute other duties defined by the legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan in accordance with the appointment of the tax authorities.

## Structure

According to the decree signed by the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on 24 July 2019, the structure of the Ministry of Taxes had been approved as the following way:
* Main Department of National Income
* Main Department of Tax Crime Primary Investigation
* Main Department of Control of Import and Export Operations
* Main Department of Control over Circulation of Excisable Goods and Marking
* Main Department of Local Income of the City of Baku
* Main Department of Work with Small Businesses in Baku
* Call-Center (authorized as a main department)
* Local offices (main offices, departments and divisions)

### Training Centre

Training Centre of the Ministry of Taxes was established by the Decision No. 90 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan as of June 5, 2002 on the basis of the Decree No. 539 on the application of the law of the Republic of Azerbaijan, on approval of the Regulation “On service in state tax authorities” signed by the president of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev.
A new complex of the Training Center was inaugurated in the village of Nagarakhana of Shamakhi on September 13, 2011, with the participation of the President Ilham Aliyev. The aim of the center is to carry out educational processes to improve the level of knowledge and vocational training of the employees of tax authorities, ensure practical work and management ability, master new technologies and techniques, as well as adapt training methods to constantly changing working conditions.

### Programs to improve tax administration

* State program on improvement of tax administration in the Republic of Azerbaijan (2005–2007)

## Information resources of the Ministry of Taxes

* “Vergilər” (Taxes) online newspaper - has been published since February 11, 2000. “Vergiler.az” online newspaper has been launched since January 1, 2019, replacing the printed version of “Vergilər” newspaper. The online newspaper “Vergiler.az” is an online news resource that focuses on articles, interviews and news about innovations in taxation and also enlightens economic processes.
* "Taxes magazine of Azerbaijan" (Azerbaijani: Azərbaycanın vergi jurnalı) was founded by the Ministry of Taxes on July 1, 2003. 158 pages magazine is published quarterly with a circulation of 1,000 copies. The “Tax Magazine of Azerbaijan” is a regular publication of the Ministry of Taxes. The magazine mainly focuses on current issues, as well as general conceptual matters of taxation with the possibility of publishing articles related to other sectors of the economy.