Kazakhstan is moving forward with tax reform not only through legislative changes, but also by focusing on clear and accessible communication with citizens and businesses. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov visited the Electronic Finance Center (EFC) to review its digital infrastructure and the ongoing efforts to explain tax reform to the public, DKNews.kz reports.
The visit took place within the framework of tasks set by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his Address to the Nation and at the National Kurultai.
Calls to 1414, chatbots, and AI-powered support
During the visit, the Prime Minister was shown the work of the Unified Contact Center, which serves as a key channel for communication with taxpayers.
Consultations are provided through a three-tier system:
- initial explanations
- in-depth support
- updates and adjustments to information systems when systemic issues are identified
Since the beginning of January, the center has received around 135,500 inquiries via the free hotline 1414, messaging apps, and AI-powered chatbots that provide instant answers to common questions.
On average, operators handle 13–14 thousand inquiries per day. About 7 thousand of them are related to tax reform, social payments, and other key issues. When necessary, inquiries from citizens and businesses are forwarded to relevant departments for analysis and systemic decision-making.
“The fiscal transition must be smooth”
Prime Minister Bektenov recalled the position voiced by the Head of State at the National Kurultai.
“As the President emphasized, our task is to ensure a smooth and conflict-free fiscal transition as new provisions of the Tax Code are introduced. We must build an effective system of interaction with citizens and businesses,” Bektenov said.
According to him, Kazakhstan is building a fair and effective tax system while gradually fostering a culture of responsible tax compliance.
“It is important to encourage a conscious approach – contributing to the development of one’s region through tax payments. This is the kind of patriotism the President spoke about. Today, we already see businesses gradually adapting to the principles of a Fair Kazakhstan. In 2025 alone, businesses voluntarily paid over 750 billion tenge in additional taxes,” the Prime Minister noted.
Business activity continues to grow
Bektenov acknowledged that tax reform, like any major change, brings challenges. However, economic data suggest that business activity in Kazakhstan remains strong.
According to the Ministry of Finance:
- 480,000 new legal entities were registered in 2025
- 22,000 new business entities were registered in the first 20 days of this year
These figures, he said, clearly contradict predictions about mass business closures. At the same time, Bektenov stressed that if specific provisions of the Tax Code are found to genuinely hinder business operations, they must be systematically reviewed and adjusted.
EFC as a digital bridge between the state and taxpayers
The Electronic Finance Center has become a key service platform connecting citizens, businesses, and government agencies.
The center:
- provides consultations to taxpayers
- ensures technical support and administration of information systems
- maintains uninterrupted operation of 21 information systems responsible for fiscal and budget policy
In addition, the EFC acts as a state operator in several areas, including:
- support of the budget process integrator
- operational and service support for the public procurement portal
All divisions are now located in a single modern building, which has strengthened information security and improved coordination.
Instructions following the visit
Following the inspection, Prime Minister Bektenov instructed the Ministry of Finance to:
- continue the technological modernization of the Electronic Finance Center
- increase capacity for processing citizen and business inquiries across all communication channels
- further enhance the quality and accessibility of explanations related to tax reform
The bottom line
Kazakhstan’s tax reform is being implemented not only through digital tools, but also through dialogue and gradual adaptation. The government’s approach prioritizes clarity, trust, and service over pressure.
The work of the Electronic Finance Center demonstrates how these changes are being translated into everyday interaction between the state and taxpayers — ensuring that the fiscal transition remains smooth, transparent, and conflict-free.
