Finance Minister: Imedi, Rustavi 2 and Maestro do not pay taxes
By Tea Mariamidze
Thursday, August 15
Georgia’s Finance Minister, Ivane Machavariani says that three TV companies operating in Georgia – Imedi, Rustavi 2 and Maestro have not paid taxes since 2016.
“Rustavi has about GEL 28 million debt, Imedi TV- GEL 19 million and Maestro TV – GEL 8 million. This is a tax debt that has been accumulated over the last few years. Unfortunately, we have this vicious practice in Georgia that TV companies accumulated debs, which were written off later,” he said.
The minister noted it is time to change this practice, adding there are other televisions, much smaller ones, but they pay taxes honestly.
“We are in one legislative area, and it is not fair that some companies pay taxes and some not,” he said.
Machavariani says every TV company has to pay taxes, adding the state does not intend to write the debts off.
He noted after the schedule of old debts is agreed, every company has to pay current taxes as well decently. According to him, usually, the payer requests and offers the payment schedule or restructuring. The relevant state structure either agrees or disagrees.
“These are mainly debts accumulated during 2017, 2018 and 2019…I call on the TV companies to present their debt payment schedules in two weeks,” he added.
Machavariani added it is important for the media to function, and it is important for TV companies to exist, but they have to pay the taxes.
“But there can always be speculations as if we are fighting against the free media, so this issue was and is negatively used,” he said.
The minister noted that the case of Rustavi 2 could be used as an example, adding if in the future the TV company is sold, the potential buyer should know they have to pay old and current taxes.
Paata Salia, Director General of Rustavi 2 TV, says negotiations on debt schedule will start with the Ministry of Finance and the Revenue Service in the coming days.
However, he says the company cannot pay the debts soon.
“We are going to find the most effective way to help the company keep operating,” he said.
