VAT in Uzbekistan in 2026 is charged at a standard rate of 12%. Companies with turnover above 12,000 BCU (about UZS 5 billion from 1 June 2026) must register for VAT, as must several categories regardless of turnover. The tax period is one month: the return is filed and the tax paid no later than the 20th of the following month, and invoices are issued only electronically.
This guide covers who pays VAT, how voluntary registration works, electronic invoices, input credit and refunds, and the mistakes that most often lead to additional assessments.
VAT in Uzbekistan 2026: key parameters
| Parameter | Value in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Standard rate | 12% |
| Zero rate | Exports of goods (generally); from 1 January 2026, listed agricultural produce grown by the seller, excluding cotton and grain |
| Exempt | Insurance and most financial services, other operations under the Tax Code |
| Mandatory registration threshold | Turnover above 12,000 BCU (from 1 June 2026; previously UZS 1 billion) |
| Simplified regime | 6% with no input VAT credit, 0% profit tax — trade, catering and services, voluntary, until 1 January 2030 |
| Tax period | Month |
| Filing and payment deadline | No later than the 20th of the month following the reporting month |
| Refunds | Generally within 7 days; negative balances up to UZS 10 million refunded automatically |
Who must pay VAT
Based on turnover
From 1 June 2026, a small business moves from turnover tax to VAT and profit tax once its turnover exceeds 12,000 BCU. The threshold is tied to the base calculation value: at a BCU of UZS 412,000 it is about UZS 4.944 billion, and at UZS 440,000 (from 1 September 2026) it is UZS 5.28 billion. Newly established companies that exceed the threshold move to VAT and profit tax from the start of the following year.
Regardless of turnover
- permanent establishments of foreign legal entities;
- sales of petrol, diesel and gas to end consumers at filling stations;
- from 1 January 2026, producers and sellers of jewellery;
- companies that by law cannot use turnover tax (for example, producers of excise goods, sellers of pharmaceuticals and medical products, medical service providers).
Mandatory VAT registration for persons importing goods across the customs border was abolished by Decree UP-100. If you import, confirm your status under the current Tax Code.
Voluntary VAT registration
You can switch to VAT and profit tax before reaching the threshold. This usually pays off when:
- your customers are VAT payers and need to credit input VAT;
- you make many purchases with VAT, especially imports and equipment;
- you take part in tenders and work with large companies.
Businesses switching from turnover tax for the first time from 1 January 2026 get a profit tax exemption for one tax period (except dividends and interest). We show how to compare the regimes with numbers in Turnover tax vs VAT.
Electronic invoices
VAT payers issue invoices electronically through electronic document exchange operators. The buyer's right to credit VAT arises from the supplier's electronic invoice.
Risk rating from 2026
From 1 January 2026, each electronic invoice receives a risk level. For a high-risk invoice, the buyer may credit VAT only after the tax has reached the budget. Vetting a supplier before the deal is therefore part of VAT management, not a formality.
VAT return: deadlines and automatic generation
In practice, this means closing the VAT month early: before the 20th you should collect all incoming invoices, check their status and risk level, reconcile sales with source documents, and only then agree the return generated by the tax authority.
The VAT tax period is a calendar month. The return is filed and the tax paid no later than the 20th of the following month — for example, for October by 20 November. From 2026, the VAT return is generated automatically by the tax authority from electronic invoices and other data. If it differs from your books, corrections must be filed within five days and no later than the deadline; without corrections, the return is treated as accepted. See the full schedule in our 2026 reporting calendar.
Input VAT credit and refunds
Credit
VAT payable equals output VAT on sales minus VAT on purchases supported by electronic invoices and used in taxable activity. Input VAT on exempt operations is generally not creditable.
Refunds
- Excess VAT is generally refunded within 7 days; certain taxpayers qualify for a 1-day or automatic 3-day refund.
- Negative VAT balances up to UZS 10 million are refunded automatically, with no application and no audit (Decree UP-100).
- Agricultural producers receive an accelerated 3-day refund from 2026.
Simplified 6% VAT
From 1 June 2026, trade, catering and service companies may voluntarily switch to 6% VAT on their entire turnover. Profit tax is 0% and no profit tax return is filed; input VAT is not credited, but buyers keep their credit. The regime is not available to large taxpayers or companies with 50% or more state ownership. Entry and exit take effect from the first day of the month after the notice. The regime runs until 1 January 2030.
Common VAT mistakes
- Missing the switch date. Turnover has passed the threshold, but the company keeps paying turnover tax.
- Working with risky suppliers. VAT on high-risk invoices cannot be credited until the tax is paid to the budget.
- Not checking the auto-generated return. Five days for corrections pass quickly; silence means consent.
- Crediting VAT on exempt operations. Input VAT related to exempt activity must be apportioned.
- Moving to 6% without a calculation. With a large share of VAT-bearing purchases, the simplified regime can cost more.
We handle VAT as part of our tax advisory and tax reporting services: we check invoices, reconcile auto-generated returns and monitor the threshold. You can discuss your situation via our contacts page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the VAT rate in Uzbekistan in 2026?
The standard rate is 12%. Exports of goods are generally zero-rated, and trade, catering and services can opt into a 6% regime without input VAT credit.
At what turnover must I register for VAT?
From 1 June 2026, when turnover exceeds 12,000 BCU — about UZS 5 billion depending on the current BCU. Some categories must register regardless of turnover.
When is the VAT return due?
No later than the 20th of the month following the reporting month. The tax is paid by the same date.
Can I register for VAT voluntarily?
Yes, you can switch to VAT and profit tax before reaching the threshold. It makes sense if your customers are VAT payers or you buy a lot with VAT.
How quickly is VAT refunded?
Generally within 7 days; negative balances up to UZS 10 million are refunded automatically without an application.
Information current as of October 2026. Tax rules change — check the current rules and confirm with a specialist before making decisions.