The Tax Administration of Kosovo celebrated its 25th anniversary today with a solemn ceremony attended by senior state officials, ambassadors from powerful countries operating in Kosovo, representatives from international organizations, and numerous other guests.
At this special event, attendees praised the Tax Administration of Kosovo’s (TAK) journey over the last quarter-century, emphasizing its critical role in the establishment and development of Kosovo’s institutions. The main speeches focused on challenges overcome, international support provided over the years, institutional reforms, digitization processes, and record revenue growth.
Mr. Ilir Murtezaj, Director General, stated in his speech that “the TAK’s mission is to raise the level of voluntary compliance in accordance with applicable tax legislation, as well as to provide taxpayers with professional, transparent, and effective services”. The TAK is legally obligated to ensure that legal provisions are implemented uniformly for all taxpayers in similar situations. We, the Tax Administration’s leaders and employees, consider this mission sacred and work diligently to ensure that no one ever violates this opportunity given to serve our country.
He further emphasized that as a result of professional work, integrity, honesty, effectiveness, and transparency, the Tax Administration of Kosovo has collected over 8 billion euros in taxes and more than 3 billion euros in pension contributions over the past 25 years. Thus, the total revenue collected exceeds 11 billion euros. Furthermore, the head of TAK stated that alongside the increase in revenues, we continued with institutional reforms, transforming the TAK from a modest tax administration into a modern tax administration.
In their remarks, the ambassadors of the powerful countries in Kosovo praised the TAK’s commitment and dedication to building a fair and sustainable tax system, emphasizing the ongoing support provided through projects and international expertise.
The representative from the U.S. Embassy, Ms. Eileen Devitt stated that it is a great honour for me to be here today to commemorate this significant occasion – the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Tax Administration of Kosovo. This anniversary does not just mark the passage of time, but rather a testament to the dedication, professionalism, and success achieved by this institution in building lasting foundations for Kosovo’s future.
The tax system is the foundation upon which a strong and sustainable state is built. A trustworthy and effective tax administration not only provides resources for economic development and public services, but it also increases citizens’ trust in institutions and the fairness of the system.The USA has been and remains proud of its support for the Tax Administration of Kosovo’s development. This support has included training, technical assistance, and partnership to advance digitization, transparency, and accountability processes. We are delighted to have been a part of your journey, and the outcomes speak for themselves: record revenues, courageous reforms, and the establishment of a modern administration that serves its citizens with efficiency and integrity.
The Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Kosovo, Mr. Jonathan Hargreaves, during his speech at the 25th anniversary ceremony of the Tax Administration of Kosovo, expressed his appreciation for the long-term cooperation between Kosovo and the United Kingdom in building the institutional capacities of TAK. He highlighted the contribution of British experts in advancing key processes, such as risk management, fight against tax evasion, and improving taxpayer services. The Ambassador emphasized the importance of continuing international experience exchanges to ensure a modern, transparent, and fair tax system, expressing the United Kingdom’s readiness to further support TAK’s continuous reforms and development.
The Ambassador of Germany in Kosovo, Mr. Joern Rohde, in his remarks at the 25th anniversary ceremony of the Tax Administration of Kosovo, highlighted the continuous support that Germany has provided through the GIZ organization. He valued the visible results of this cooperation, including strengthening TAK’s institutional capacities, improving tax procedures, and developing digitalized systems. The Ambassador emphasized that Germany’s commitment to supporting Kosovo in building a modern and accountable administration will continue, thereby contributing to the economic development and well-being of the country’s citizens.
The representative of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Mr. Sebastian Sosa, in his remarks during the 25th anniversary ceremony of the Tax Administration of Kosovo, praised TAK’s extraordinary progress in building an efficient and transparent tax administration. He emphasized that TAK has played a crucial role in ensuring sustainable revenues for Kosovo’s budget, thus helping the country’s economic development and financial stability. The IMF representative expressed that the institution he represents remains a committed partner in supporting reforms and further improving tax processes in Kosovo.
Meanwhile, the President of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Lulzim Rafuna, stated that today is a special day as we mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Tax Administration of Kosovo, an institution that has played a vital role in the country’s economic development. In these two and a half decades, TAK has not only fulfilled its mission of collecting public revenues but has also deeply influenced the creation of a new culture of tax awareness. Through its tireless work, TAK has made citizens and businesses aware that paying taxes is not only a legal obligation but also a social responsibility, directly contributing to the building of a better and fairer society.
The event was concluded with a special appreciation to everyone who contributed to TAK’s success over the years, and a commitment to continue efforts toward further modernization and improvement of services for citizens and businesses.
