A new service for the taxpayers. The information platform is established. GDT, EBRD and ADISA sign the agreement

The General Directorate of Taxes, Agency for the Delivery of Integrated Services and EBRD, whose support finalized this project, signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of the “Information Platform for Taxpayers”.

The info points will be firstly piloted in the city of Fier and Kruja and aim at providing a clear and updated information to the taxpayers related to the tax liabilities or registration of new businesses. These offices will be located at ADISA centres, which provide one-stop-shop integrated public services, and they are expected to become operational at the beginning of 2018. The informative materials that will be prepared for the individuals or taxpayers, have a user-friendly format as per the different needs and will be available online.

The establishment of the information platform was a recommendation of the Council of Investments as well, a public-private dialogue platform supported by EBRD, as a pilot project to address one of the main concerns of the local businesses, specifically the lack of adequate information that taxpayers have on the legislation and tax liabilities.

The Head of EBRD in Albania, Mr. Matteo Colangeli, said that: “Improving tax liability compliance is a key element to a sustainable economic development and a better investment climate. We appreciate cooperation with Albanian institutions in this important area and I think that this initiative that we are launching today is precisely on due time and complements the reiterated focus of the authorities to fight informality. We are ready to expand our activities to support a better environment for the business in Albania”.

The General Director of Taxes, Mrs. Vasilika Vjero, said that expanding toward a wider dimension of service provision and education of taxpayers in order to be closer to them, as well as expanding information routes is among the priorities of the Tax Administration. The assistance provided to the taxpayers in this information platform is an initiative that facilitates understanding and implementation of duties and rights of taxpayers, further encouraging voluntary compliance.

The Executive Director of ADISA, Mrs. Anisa Gjika, highlighted that: “This joint initiative represents a serious effort toward improving the quality of service to the benefit of citizens and businesses, as well as facilitating access to public services. ADISA welcomes such initiatives, as the core essence of its mission is to improve access to and quality of public services”.