ECONOMIC GROWTH TO AFFECT THE TAX-PAYERS

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11-07-2005

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID/Armenia)
is launching a new five-year project to advance tax reforms in
Armenia. {BR}

The Tax Improvement Project (TIP), which is being implemented through
a contract with Booz Allen Hamilton, will focus on improving the
management of the State Tax Service (STS) in order to raise Armenia’s
tax/GDP ratio. Building on the impressive growth of Armenia’s economy
for the past three years, USAID/Armenia will work with the STS to
increase tax revenues, thus providing the state with additional funds
for health, education and other critical expenditures. While the
project’s emphasis will be on tax administration, TIP will also work
on tax policy as well as on providing the Armenian public with greater
information on the tax system.

The preparation of the Tax Improvement Project benefited from
significant cooperation among the Government of Armenia, USAID and the
International Monetary Fund (IMF). Both donor organizations consider
revenue increases in Armenia as one of the most important
macroeconomic priorities.

Dennis Melton, who brings with him 24 years of experience in the U.S.
Internal Revenue Service, is the Director of the USAID Tax Improvement
Project. Mr. Melton has also served as a U.S. Tax Attaché in Riyadh
and Singapore. Armen Alaverdayn, Deputy Head of the Armenian Tax
Service, also played an important role in the preparation of the
project.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress