Kazakhstan’s Google Tax Brings Big Revenues
Photo: The Pancake of Heaven! / Wikimedia Commons, CC A-SA 4.0
Kazakhstan is increasingly profiting from the digital era. Since the introduction of the so-called “Google tax” in 2022, foreign online platforms have contributed a total of 118.4 billion tenge to the national budget, Orda.kz reports.
According to the State Revenue Committee, 118 international internet companies are now registered in Kazakhstan and pay a 12% VAT.
These include some of the largest players in the global IT industry.
In 2025, 20 more companies joined the list, among them:
- OpenAI, developer of ChatGPT
- Canva, the design platform
- Microsoft Ireland Operations
- Chess.com, an international chess portal
- Canyon Bicycles, the sports bike manufacturer
Revenue from the tax reached a record 48.6 billion tenge in 2025 — 20 billion more than the previous year.
The top taxpayers were:
- Valve Corporation (Steam) — 8.6 billion tenge
- Apple — 8 billion tenge
- Temu — 6.2 billion tenge
Officials emphasize that the “Google tax” is not only a new revenue source but also a mechanism for fair competition. Previously, foreign digital services earned income from local users without paying taxes into Kazakhstan’s budget.
Now, both foreign and domestic platforms operate under the same rules.
Similar digital taxes have been adopted in most developed economies, including the EU, the UK, Australia, and Japan.
Kazakhstan’s approach is fully aligned with international standards.
Its regional neighbors have also introduced comparable measures:
- Uzbekistan – 12% VAT since 2020
- Kyrgyzstan – since 2022
- Russia – from 2024, at a rate of 18%
The Ministry of Finance said the system will continue to be improved. The State Revenue Committee has also warned that foreign marketplaces may be blocked in Kazakhstan if they fail to register for VAT.
Original Author: Alina Pak
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