Kazakhstan: Corporate Tax

Foreign contractors participating in major infrastructure projects in Kazakhstan face significant tax, customs and regulatory risks that can materially reduce or eliminate profit margins if not properly addressed. This analysis examines why tax planning must begin before tender submission rather than during contract negotiations, and identifies the principal risks including permanent establishment exposure, withholding tax, VAT...

Kazakhstan's 2026 tax reform, initially intended to address budget deficits through measured revenue increases, has evolved into a comprehensive overhaul that significantly expands the tax and compliance burden on businesses. The reform introduces restrictions on expense deductions for payments to simplified-regime taxpayers, potentially raising effective corporate tax rates far beyond the statutory 20% rate, despite warnings from local experts about the risks of sudden tax increases.

Can mediation resolve tax disputes in Kazakhstan? This analysis examines the legal framework, admissibility conditions, and practical applications of mediation agreements between taxpayers and tax authorities. Through nine detailed case studies from Kazakhstani courts, discover how administrative discretion enables flexible dispute resolution, from revoking audit notices to adjusting tax liabilities and establishing procedural timelines.