Dialogue conference on tax and customs policies and administrative procedures for 2024 hosted by Ministry of Finance and VCCI

Tax support scale of VND191 trillion, addressing many issues

At the 2024 dialogue conference on tax and customs policies and administrative procedures, Deputy Minister of Finance Cao Anh Tuan said that the Ministry of Finance has organized annual dialogue conferences with businesses to support the business community. These conferences have helped identify the concerns, difficulties, and challenges businesses face in implementing tax and customs policies and procedures, allowing for timely and swift resolutions.

"At the 2023 conference, the Ministry of Finance received and addressed 88 issues related to tax and 37 issues related to customs. The responses were publicly posted on the General Department of Taxation and General Department of Vietnam Customs' electronic portals for relevant organizations and individuals to access," said Cao Anh Tuan.

In the first 11 months of 2024, the domestic economy faced significant pressure from adverse foreign market factors. The Ministry of Finance proactively conducted research, proposed initiatives, and implemented measures within its authority to support businesses, citizens, and the broader economy. These efforts include tax, fee, and land rent exemptions, reductions, and extensions. Key measures include lowering the environmental protection tax on gasoline, oil, and lubricants; reducing the value-added tax (VAT) rate by 2% for specific goods and services currently subject to a 10% VAT rate; reducing various fees and charges; and extending payment deadlines for VAT, corporate income tax, personal income tax, and land rent. These actions aim to alleviate financial burdens and stimulate economic activity.

According to the Ministry of Finance, many tax, fee, and land rent support measures with significant value and wide-ranging support have been implemented in practice. These measures have received widespread approval and high praise from the business community and citizens.

Delegates at the conference

Regular activities to ensure legal benefits for businesses

Speaking at the conference, VCCI President Pham Tan Cong said that since the 2023 conference, VCCI has actively collaborated with the Ministry of Finance to address over 450 business opinions and recommendations of varying scales. Several long-standing difficulties and issues have been discussed with relevant tax and customs departments, leading to resolutions that safeguard the legal rights and interests of businesses.

He added that nearly 100 opinions were submitted to VCCI through the 2024 Business Forum (VBF) and business information forms, focusing on issues such as tax refunds, tax calculation methods, consistency in applying tax incentive mechanisms, and challenges stemming from policy changes impacting businesses engaged in import-export activities. These opinions and recommendations have been submitted to the Ministry of Finance, the General Department of Taxation, and the General Department of Customs for review, response, and potential amendments to regulations and procedures governing businesses' tax and customs obligations.

According to VCCI statistics, Vietnam's economy experienced robust recovery and growth in 2024, with an estimated annual GDP growth rate of 6.8–7%, surpassing the National Assembly's target of 6–6.5%. Vietnam is among the countries with high growth rates in the region and the world, receiving high praise from major international organizations. In 2025, the enactment of several significant laws is expected to tackle economic challenges and resolve key bottlenecks, paving the way for sustainable growth and development. "Vietnam is projected to achieve an 8% growth rate in 2025, in line with the National Assembly's resolution, with the potential to reach double-digit growth in the near future. This marks an important step toward a new era of national development and prosperity," said VCCI President Pham Tan Cong.

At the 2024 conference, Ministry of Finance leaders provided specific responses and affirmed their commitment to continue researching, advising, reviewing, and amending tax laws in line with the Tax System Reform Strategy to 2030. This aims to complete a comprehensive tax policy system that meets international standards, ensuring sustainable tax structures and reasonable resource mobilization for the state budget. Additionally, it aims to create a favorable, fair investment and business environment, encourage investment, promote competition, and regulate income reasonably, aligning with the process of integration and sustainable economic development.

Concluding the dialogue conference, Deputy Minister of Finance Cao Anh Tuan affirmed the commitment to continue reforms in all aspects, such as improving institutions, enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the apparatus, comprehensively and effectively reforming administrative procedures, and further modernizing various financial sector areas. This is particularly important in the tax and customs sectors, which are closely and directly related to businesses and citizens, to facilitate and reduce costs for businesses and citizens, improve the business environment, and enhance national competitiveness.