The number of global internet companies operating in Uzbekistan’s digital market is growing. The latest names to join the list are American Coursera and Australian Canva. They have now been recognized as foreign service providers paying VAT (value added tax).
Coursera — April 2
Canva — April 24
Thus, the number of foreign internet companies officially subject to tax in Uzbekistan since 2020 has reached 69. The list also includes leading companies such as OpenAI, eBay, Alibaba Cloud, Bloomberg LP.
What do the numbers show?
In the first quarter of 2025, the amount of VAT paid by foreign IT companies reached 36.2 billion soums – 1.5 times more than in the same period last year.
Despite OpenAI (1.09 billion soums) and restrictions in the country, TikTok (934.8 million soums) became the first to enter the list of the largest taxpayers.
Why is this important?
These changes reflect a new approach by the Uzbek government and tax system to digital services. Now global companies that provide services to individuals are becoming entities with legal obligations within the country.
This model, on the one hand, increases revenues to the local budget, and on the other hand, it provides foreign companies with permission and responsibility to enter the market and operate sustainably in it.
