Although the Government presents that as a result of anti-corruption measures undertaken in 2009-2012 the direct contacts between the tax payers and the representatives of tax services had significantly reduced, and the tax authorities had increased the efficiency of their human resources, as well as the openness and accountability of tax services, however, serious problems still appear in the sphere.
Specifically, during the discussion organized in the framework of “Multi-Faceted Anti-Corruption Promotion” project, Anahit Shahzadeyan, President of “Gavar Business Center” NGO mentioned that the employees of tax inspection and customs service should be selected from the professional aspect. She presented an example that recently during the communication of their center with the tax inspectors, the tax inspector infringed the norms of ethics and maybe even acted illegally.
She told that the tax inspectors entered the office of their organization on a non working day and non business hours stating that they had an internal decision to conduct operative actions in their office. What action they were talking about and on what the legal basis remained unknown for the organization’s management. “They came after six o’clock. When I asked shy they had come they did not say anything. I thought maybe they were thieves.
When she asked what the “operative actions” meant the inspector answered that he could even say “immoral”. “There should be no problems in work with the Tax Inspection, but what a rowdy country this is; I do not know how I shall work with this person. I have told them not to approach me in the absence of my advocate and a journalist,” Ms Shahzadeyan said.
Anahit Shahzadeyan hoped that the training center, which the Ministry of Finances is building currently, will bring positive changes.
