Since the introduction of the Digital Services Tax (Digital Tax) on January 1, 2022, Kazakhstan’s state budget has received 118.4 billion tenge ($225.3 million). In 2025 alone, revenues from this tax reached 48.6 billion tenge — 20 billion more than in the same period last year, the State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance of Kazakhstan announced.
Currently, 188 foreign non-resident companies providing digital services to Kazakhstani users are registered in the country. Among them are major global IT corporations required to pay value-added tax at a rate of 12%. According to the government, this measure ensures fair competition between domestic and foreign providers of digital content and services.
Kazakhstan became one of the first Central Asian countries to introduce a digital services tax, following the example of developed economies. Uzbekistan has applied a similar 12% VAT since 2020, while Kyrgyzstan adopted it in 2022. Tajikistan is still considering introducing such a tax, whereas Turkmenistan maintains preferential conditions for foreign IT companies operating in its market. For comparison, Russia set its “digital VAT” rate at 18% in 2024.
According to the State Revenue Committee, the introduction of the “digital VAT” has not only increased tax revenues but also improved the transparency of foreign companies operating in Kazakhstan. Moreover, it has leveled the playing field between global internet platforms and local IT firms, contributing to the development of the national digital economy.
Experts note that Kazakhstan’s tax policy represents a balanced approach to digital regulation in Central Asia. The country also demonstrates one of the fastest growth rates in fiscal revenue in the region. For comparison, Uzbekistan collected around 320 billion soums ($26.7 million) from digital services taxes in 2024, while Kyrgyzstan received about 2.3 billion soms ($26.3 million).
Thus, Kazakhstan is not only strengthening its position in the field of digital taxation but also shaping a sustainable model of cooperation between the state and global technology companies — fostering a fair and transparent digital market across the region.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
November 7, 2025