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November 20, 2019
2019-6455

Kazakhstan postpones introduction of VAT for nonresident providers of electronic services to individuals to 1 January 2021

Kazakhstan has postponed to 1 January 2021, the introduction of new Article 426-1 of the Tax Code “Features of the Fulfillment of VAT Liabilities by Non-residents Providing Services in Electronic Form to Individuals” proposed by the State Revenue Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The provision was originally to go into effect on 1 January 2020.

According to the proposed changes, a nonresident legal entity, when providing services to individuals in electronic form, will be required to register as a value-added tax (VAT) payer and calculate VAT based on turnover of services rendered if the place of supply of such services is Kazakhstan (regardless of whether they have established a registered presence).

Electronic services (e-services) subject to VAT would include:

  • Software distributed via the Internet

  • Advertising services via the Internet

  • Services involving the posting of an offer to acquire (sell) goods (works or services) or property rights on the Internet

  • Search for and (or) provision of information about potential customers

  • Technical, organizational, informational or other services to enable transactions between sellers and buyers via the Internet

  • Provision and (or) maintenance of a commercial or personal presence on the Internet

  • Information storage and processing on the Internet

  • Provision of domain names and hosting services

  • Information system and site administration on the Internet

  • Internet site statistics services

  • Sales of e-books, graphics, or music via the Internet

The place of supply of e-services would be deemed to be Kazakhstan if:

  • The buyer (an individual) lives in Kazakhstan.

  • The buyer pays for e-services using an account with a bank based in Kazakhstan or through an electronic money operator based in Kazakhstan.

  • The buyer uses an IP address registered in Kazakhstan when purchasing e-services.

  • The buyer uses a telephone number with the international country code assigned to Kazakhstan to purchase or pay for e-services.

Foreign entities would be required to calculate VAT at the rate of 12% of the value of e-services, submit VAT returns and pay VAT to the state budget each calendar quarter.

Foreign entities would not be required to issue Kazakhstan’s statutory VAT-invoices for e-services rendered to individuals.

VAT on goods (works or services) purchased by a foreign entity for the provision of electronic services would not be off-settable.

For additional information with respect to this Alert, please contact the following:

Ernst & Young Kazakhstan LLP, Almaty

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