28 March 2024, Thursday, 17:10
Support
the website
Sim Sim,
Charter 97!
Categories

“Individual Entrepreneurs Will Go Under Black Flag’

7
“Individual Entrepreneurs Will Go Under Black Flag’

Belarusians are talking about the plans of the authorities to raise a single tax for tutors, builders, hairdressers.

For tutors, wedding hosts, builders, hairdressers, cosmetologists who work on a single tax, in 2023 it is planned to significantly increase the amount of the fee. Zerkalo communicated with those whom the tax innovation can affect, and learned that they think about it.

I would pay more if the money was used for the development of Belarus

Angelina (the names of the heroes of the article have been changed) lives in a small town in the Brest region, she has a pedagogical education, specialization — mathematics. A few years ago, the woman quit the school where she taught her subject and switched to tutoring.

“Now it's my only job. I have quite many students, on average about 30 hours of classes a week — by school standards this is more than one working rate. There are more and more people wishing to join each month because the education system limps on both feet. But I physically won't be able to work any more,” the interlocutor says.

Angelina’s one math class costs 20 rubles. The woman says that it is a low cost — in the regional centers and for online lessons they take more, and in their town only preparation for CT is more expensive, and if the tutor is a university professor. On average, her earnings per month are about 2,000 rubles, with this money Angelina lives with her child.

“Certainly, comparing my income with the salary of a school teacher, it is super and cool. In 2020, I received 660 rubles at school (this is for a load of 24 hours a week). Then I ran home and worked as a tutor to catch up with my earnings of at least 1,000 rubles. After all, I have loans to repay, installments, I need to pay for kindergarten, extra classes etc.”

Now Angelina pays a single tax of 58 rubles, and does not make deductions to the Social Protection Fund. The woman noted that she would agree to pay more, but only in one case — if there was confidence that money goes for the development of Belarus.

“I think that if the tax is raised to 150 rubles, it still will be possible to pay. I don't want to increase the cost of classes. I love my work, students, and I know that not everyone can afford to give more than 200 rubles a month for two classes a week.”

Angelina says that if we assume that the tax will still be raised, then she will not return to public work, she will continue to work for herself. Of course, in this case, she will have to significantly reduce personal expenses.

“They will go under a black flag”

The inhabitant of the Hrodna region Dzmitry is registered as individual entrepreneur, he is a builder, and does internal finishing works.

“Until the end of 2021, I paid tax every month, I thought that it was very important to do it. Besides, the sum was small — 135 rubles. But when last year the rate was raised more than three times — to 382 rubles, I decided that I would just indicate that I work less. This is what I will do further on,” Dzmitry said about the way he deals with the situation.

Now the man indicates that he does not work every month and thus does not constantly pay for the uniform, although he has many orders all the time. According to the interlocutor, the individual entrepreneurs he knows work in exactly the same manner.

“I didn't have less work, my services are in demand as before. Earnings per month 1000−1500 dollars (2420−3630 rubles at the exchange rate of the National Bank of Belarus as of 22.11.2022 — edit.), but I did not get richer. First of all it’s because everything very strongly rose in price. I pay more for gasoline, tools, and consumables. Every month these expenses add up to 500 dollars.

Dzmitry gives an example: about six months ago he bought a Dewalt saw for 2,700 rubles, and now it costs 4,300 rubles. Repair materials are not only expensive, they are hard to find because of the sanctions.

“The situation with the individual entrepreneurs and without this tax was difficult, some closed or are going to do it, others went under a black flag (work illegally — editor's note). About 70% of my acquaintances are like that. And now there will be even more — the state pushes people to it.”

"There’s a feeling that they want to take everything"

A resident of the district center Alena works as a speech therapist in the state kindergarten, she is an experienced specialist with the highest category and 30 years of experience. A woman's working day lasts from 8.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m., this is 1.25 work rate per month, which brings in about 900 rubles. This money is not enough for life, so the woman additionally works with children in a private way.

“There are a lot of kids in private classes. I can't even take everyone because of time constraints. At the same time, every year the number of children with peculiarities of psychophysical development increases, many of them have early childhood autism,” said Alena.

The teacher returns home and starts work again, which ends at 20.00, she also works on Saturdays.

“It is very difficult. There's no strength by the end of the day. But you rejoice as a child when you see the result of your activity. Positive results inspire, give strength, energy.”

Alena is glad that she has no loans to repay, but she has children, and it is necessary to help them. She was therefore disappointed to learn of a possible tax increase that would affect her activities as well.

“Of course I'm against raising the tax. It has already been raised: in 2021, I paid 25 rubles, and now - 58 rubles. It feels like they want to take everything. Any desire to work drops off, given that you won’t earn big money in this field anyway.”

“I would like to increase my income, but it turns out the opposite”

Minsk woman Marta quit school, she has been privately teaching English for several years, this is her only source of income. The teacher has many students, and every year more and more want to get to her. One lesson of the “Englishwoman” costs from 25 to 35 rubles — depending on the age of the student, the goals of study and the duration of the lesson.

“My income per month is from 2,000 to 2,600 rubles, depending on the number of classes. For me alone, this money would suffice, but I have two children, one of them is a student who needs to pay for studies. I have to pay not only for education, but also for a hostel, meals, clothes, etc. Also, my husband and I are building a cottage, and I want to travel, so I would like to increase my income, but it turns out that on the contrary,” the woman said about family expenses.

Now Marta pays a single tax of 82 rubles. She is sure that if it is raised to 164 rubles, the family will appear in a more difficult situation. The teacher is puzzled by the fact that when you pay a single tax, the insurance period (for pension) is not accrued.To do this, contributions to the Social Security Fund must be paid.

“In principle, I do not mind if there is a 10% tax on professional income, then at least there will be contributions to the Social Protection Fund. And this is my future pension.”

Write your comment 7

Follow Charter97.org social media accounts