Kazakhstan considers abolishing VAT on QR payments and digital tenge services

Kazakhstan is considering exempting from VAT services for QR payments, phone number transfers, electronic money, and digital tenge. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

The issue was discussed at a meeting of the Project Office for the implementation of the Tax Code, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin.

Currently, the VAT exemption applies to transactions with payment cards. Financial regulators propose extending a similar benefit to the servicing of other non-cash payment methods.

As noted by meeting participants, the payment market has changed significantly in recent years. Kazakhs increasingly use QR codes, mobile transfers, electronic money, and other digital tools. Therefore, regulators consider it necessary to create uniform tax conditions for different types of non-cash payments.

Previously, the benefit was introduced separately for bank cards, as they were the most common payment instrument at that time. The VAT exemption was not automatically extended to new payment methods: this requires assessing the economic effect and determining the exact list of operations that would fall under the benefit.

In addition, in 2026, Kazakhstan updated legislation in the payment sector and expanded the concept of operations with payment cards. Now tax norms require additional clarification.

Serik Zhumangarin supported the development of modern payment instruments, including QR payments and digital tenge. At the same time, he instructed to provide calculations confirming the economic feasibility of abolishing VAT on their servicing.

The final decision has not been made yet. The Ministry of Finance, the Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market, and the National Bank will further work on the initiative, clarify legislative norms, and calculate the possible effect on the economy and budget.

The meeting also considered the application of a zero rate of mineral extraction tax. The Ministry of Industry and Construction was instructed to update the rules for determining low-profit solid mineral deposits.