2 March, Vitebsk /Diana Kurilo - BELTA/. The number of business entities applying the simplified taxation system in the Vitebsk region has increased by 5% over the year, the press service of the Ministry of Taxes and Duties Inspectorate for the Vitebsk region informed a BELTA correspondent. In January of the current year, over 12,000 taxpayers in the Vitebsk region applied the simplified taxation system, including 5,000 legal entities and 7,000 individual entrepreneurs. Compared to January 2011, the number of business entities applying this special regime has increased by more than 5%. Growth is observed in almost all administrative districts of the region. Over a thousand enterprises and entrepreneurs apply this taxation regime in Orsha, Novopolotsk, and about 5,000 in Vitebsk. The simplified taxation system is most popular among entities operating in the trade sector – there are over 3,000 of them, and in transport activities – almost 2,000. Entities applying the special tax regime paid over Br51.4 billion in taxes to the state budget in January. As noted by the inspectorate, taxpayers in this category are generally characterized by timely settlements with the budget. As of February 1, 2012, only 10 legal entities and 4 entrepreneurs had outstanding debts to the budget. The total amount of debt was Br361.2 million. -0-

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