According to the statistical agencies, in Tajikistan the number of small and medium businesses is increasing annually. This has a positive effect on the country’s economy. At the State level, was created institutions that support entrepreneurs of different spheres and levels. New market relations are developing in both urban and rural areas, but in rural ones development is going more efficiently. Many villagers form farms where the locals are engaged in agricultural or processing labor. Small, medium and large companies have already started their production in Tajikistan.

First steps to startup business in Tajikistan

A legal entity is allowed start its activities only after passing the registration procedure in Tajikistan in accordance with the legislative framework of the country. Registration of legal entities is regulated by the Ministry of justice of the Republic of Tajikistan.

To register as a legal entity you must prepare a package of documents and submit them to the registration authorities. The package of documents includes:

• Copy and original of the charter of association of the legal entity; 
• Protocol of the general meeting that approves formation of a legal entity and permission to obtain basic company documents; 
• In case an existing legal entity has decided to form a new one, then it is required to provide writing out from the register of state registration; 
• Provide reliable information about the founder: a copy and passport itself, the TIN; 
• For successful registration you will need to specify the address of the location where you intend to conduct your business. To do this, you must confirm it by submitting a certificate from the authorized body; 
• To get a confirmation of opening a personal account in which your capital will be stored;
• Сonfirmation of state duty payment in the form of an invoice.

Any individual can launch a business in next forms:

• Individual Entrepreneur;
• Legal Entity: Corporation (Limited Liability Company, Company with Supplementary Liability, Joint Stock Company);
• Partnerships (Full Partnership, Limited Partnership and Production Cooperatives);
• Branch or Representative office of a foreign company;
• Formation Procedure: Registering the Business.

Taxes of small businesses in Tajikistan

On January 1, 2014, the Government adopted a new version of the Tax Code, which lists all fees and general tax principles established in the country - both national and local duties. The main deductions that small businesses will have to transfer to the treasury:

• income tax;
• VAT;
• road tax;
• tax on wages;
• land tax;
• tax on the property;
• mining taxes;
• withheld from the source of payment of non-resident income.

How to start a business in Tajikistan

To start a business in Tajikistan you must implement the following procedure for registering a company:

• Get an invoice confirming the payment of the registration fee. It will take 1 day.
• Register your organization with a notary, get a certificate of state registration and tax identification number (TIN) in the registration chamber. It will take 5 days. Corresponding expenses: 1 thousand somoni as a state duty + 80 somoni as a payment for an extract, summarizing information on a registered enterprise.

A package of documents includes: 

Copy and charter itself of a legal entity. For a successful registration, you will need to indicate the address where you intend to conduct your business. To do this, you must confirm it by submitting a certificate from the authorized body.

You can get help by contacting:

• Local Government.

• Territorial office

• Passport Office.

III. Get the code in the Statistic agency. It takes 1 day, no fee will be charged.

• Sign up at the Social security and Pension agency and get a SIN. This procedure is free and will take 14 days.
• Make a company stamp. It will take 3 days. Cost: 70 somoni.

The Ministry of justice is responsible for the state registration of legal entities.

When applying, applicants must submit:

• Application form.
• Create a document of the registered person.
• Appoint a company manager.
• Extract the data of a natural or legal person.
• Provide actual address of registration.
• Pay a state fee and provide an invoice.

The registration process takes about 10 days, and at that time the Ministry of justice must provide a certificate of your registration.