President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has instructed the development of a new mechanism for collecting land, property, and water taxes across Uzbekistan, with a focus on increasing efficiency at the neighborhood (mahalla) level.
The announcement came during a videoconference meeting held on June 16, where the president criticized the current door-to-door tax collection system as outdated and inefficient.
“Isn’t this equivalent to spending UZS 2 of resources to collect UZS 1 of tax?”
Mirziyoyev remarked, pointing out that 70–80% of tax collectors’ time is currently spent on manually collecting these taxes. He emphasized that public awareness campaigns could replace inefficient collection practices.
“If the leadership of the Tax Committee, along with regional and district tax officials, regularly used television, newspapers, and social media to explain that paying taxes is not just a responsibility but a constitutional duty, citizens would be more inclined to pay voluntarily,” President Mirziyoyev said. “If neighborhood tax collectors redirected the time they now spend going door-to-door toward expanding the tax base, overall revenues could grow significantly.”
Despite a 26% increase in regional budget revenues since the beginning of the year, growth remains below the national average in Karakalpakstan, Jizzakh, Kashkadarya, and Khorezm. Mirziyoyev stressed the importance of ensuring equitable development and efficient resource management across all regions.
Under the current system, taxes on land, property, and water are directed into local budgets. However, inefficiencies in the collection process have prompted a reevaluation. Officials are now tasked with devising a more streamlined and transparent approach to tax collection, tailored to local community structures.
Earlier, the president issued a strong ultimatum to leaders over ongoing issues in the supply of liquefied gas. “Let them find a solution to this issue within two weeks, or else they will vacate their positions on their own accord,” Mirziyoyev warned.
