Special Tax Regimes and Simplified Taxation
Simplified tax system (STS)
The STS replaces profit tax (and, for individual entrepreneurs, PIT) with a single payment. Understand the eligibility thresholds (revenue and employee limits), the two base options - gross revenue at a percentage rate or gross revenue less costs - and the restriction that certain activities (e.g., production of excisable goods, gambling) cannot use the STS. Traps: exceeding the revenue threshold mid-year forces a transition to the general regime, often from the quarter of exceedance; VAT treatment of STS payers who import goods; and the loss of the right to apply the regime.
Single tax on agricultural producers
The agricultural regime applies to producers whose agricultural revenue share meets the statutory threshold. Know the definition of agricultural activity, the share test, and the consequences of falling below the threshold. A trap is treating processing revenue as agricultural revenue when it does not meet the definition.
Special regimes for certain activities
Belarus maintains specific regimes for gambling, lotteries, and certain service activities, as well as the tax on imputed income historically used for specific sectors. Know which regime applies to which activity and how registration works.
Worked example
An STS payer on the gross-revenue base exceeds the revenue limit in the second quarter. The regime generally ceases from the quarter in which the limit was exceeded, and the entity must recalculate profit tax and VAT for that period. Candidates often wrongly assume the change is effective only from the next calendar year.
Rule of thumb
Before applying any special regime, verify three things: activity eligibility, quantitative thresholds, and the transition rules on exit.