Prominent singer Jahongir Otajonov expressed his views on the new tax order, expected to take effect from September 1, during a press conference on April 2. He stated his readiness to pay income tax from each event he performs at, but emphasized that afterward, the "Uzbekconcert" organization should leave artists in peace. Otajonov said: "As a child of Uzbekistan, I have no problem paying taxes to my own state, my home. But then let no one bother me; I want to be an independent person as a taxpayer. Don't tell me to go to such-and-such concert or someone's wedding."

The singer argued that with the new tax system in place, the "Uzbekconcert" organization and licensing system should be abolished. He noted: "I have questions about this situation. Okay, taxes are being imposed on us. What will happen to 'Uzbekconcert'? Is it possible for artists as independent creators to not interact with this organization? Can we get rid of 'Uzbekconcert'? As a musician, I don't feel any need for 'Uzbekconcert' at all. Only sometimes they invite us for services. But it can interfere with us; if we can't go, some problem might arise."

Otajonov highlighted the importance of analyzing artists' incomes and expenses. He explained: "For example, Jahongir Otajonov goes to one wedding for 200 million soums. If they say that from this amount, so much is given to musicians, so much is spent on renewing instruments and making videos, and taxes can be paid from the rest, that's a different matter. Where is the logic in artists being taxed on top of attending weddings for free and paying for licenses? I think there should be order in this matter too."

The singer objected to artists being pressured to perform for free at weddings of relatives of some officials. He stated: "We often hear about world stars being held criminally liable for not paying taxes. Let's be like that: earn millions of dollars like world stars. But no one bothers them. Understand? Let 'Uzbekconcert' not call and bother me. Don't say: so-and-so from above said. Who is he to me from above? Did he write a single note of my song? Whoever he is: a person sitting above or someone else, let him pay for the service, I'll go and sing."

Otajonov criticized calls from state employees for artists to provide free services. He remarked: "One day a state employee tells me that on Navruz, you must serve the people. Okay, are you serving the people for free? Ask yourself. Are you getting a salary for inviting me to serve the people for free? You work for free too, and I'll serve for free. No discussion. Actually, we all serve the people. You also bring bread home through this, and I make a living from it. Okay, if I go for free, let's all work for each other for free. But a person who talks 'for the people' while getting money from there has no right to make me work for free."

In April last year, First Deputy Chairman of the Tax Committee Mubin Mirzayev announced that starting January 1, 2027, the procedure for declaring and taxing artists' incomes in Uzbekistan will be strengthened. Before that, they will be given the opportunity to correctly submit declarations without sanctions.

Source: www.gazeta.uz