Uzbekistan is considering ending the 1% cashback paid for scanning fiscal receipts in a bid to reduce state budget spending.
The proposal estimates annual payouts at about $150 million. Its authors say this is comparable to the cost of building 300 kindergartens.
According to the proposal, about 80% of the cashback goes to customers of large supermarkets and catering businesses. It argues that the goal of encouraging consumers to collect receipts has been achieved, while receipt forgery has increased.
As an alternative, the proposal calls for removing the current 20 million soum cap and holding raffles for cars worth 200 million soum. No transition mechanism or timetable has been approved.
Targeted refunds of 12% value-added tax on food and medicine for socially vulnerable people would be retained. Additional anti-fraud safeguards are also proposed.
