Uzbekistan Company Establishment and Tax Guide 2026

The year 2026 will be a true turning point for investors wishing to establish a company and engage in tax planning in Uzbekistan. The “start a business in 15 minutes” model announced by the presidential decree, the digital tax administration, and new incentives for SMEs are making the country much more competitive in terms of doing business in Central Asia.

nn

Why Should Uzbekistan Be on Your Agenda in 2026?

n

If you want to expand from Turkey to Central Asia, produce close to the Russian and CIS markets, or move your IT and e-commerce operations to a low-cost country, the 2026 reforms in Uzbekistan offer a strategic opportunity.

n

However, there is a complex side to this opportunity: the new digital registration system, changing tax rates, transition rules between turnover tax and VAT regimes, new rights granted to individual entrepreneurs, and additional burdens imposed on e-commerce platforms… A wrong step can lead to unnecessary tax burdens and bureaucratic delays.

n

Below, you will find a step-by-step and practical guide to company establishment and the tax regime in Uzbekistan as of 2026, from the perspective of investors and business development.

nn

The Core of the 2026 Reforms: The “Start a Business in 15 Minutes” System

n

Starting from January 1, 2026, Uzbekistan will launch a unified digital platform for business establishment. The company registration process, which can still take about a week today, will be reduced to 15 minutes with the new system.

nn

How Will the Unified Digital Platform Work?

n

Through a single online “window”, you will be able to perform many of the necessary procedures for establishing a company simultaneously:

n

n
• Obtaining an electronic digital signature,

n

• Opening and activating a bank account,

n

• Applying for the necessary licenses and permits for the relevant activity,

n

• Signing a digital lease agreement (digitization of commercial address leasing processes),

n

• Automatically obtaining a VAT taxpayer certificate,

n

• Online registration of cash register devices,

n

• Registering the company director in the Unified National Labor System.

n

n

All these services will be optional. This means you can select only what you need and make all payments collectively through a single QR code. This integration aims to save entrepreneurs approximately 90 billion som in administrative expenses and gain up to 15 days in interactions with government institutions.

nn

Which Types of Companies Will Benefit from This System?

n

The digital registration system is generally designed for:

n

n
• Limited liability companies (LLC/MChJ),

n

• Joint-stock companies,

n

• Individual entrepreneurs,

n

• Small and medium-sized enterprises

n

n

It is also expected that foreign investors will benefit from this system by establishing local partnerships or as wholly foreign-owned companies.

nn

New Rights and Facilities for Individual Entrepreneurs in 2026

n

Uzbekistan aims to enable micro and small business owners to transition to a corporate structure more quickly. In this context, significant innovations are coming for individual entrepreneurs starting from 2026.

nn

Right to Use a Trade Name

n

Until now, individual entrepreneurs could only operate under their full names. This situation will change in 2026, allowing individual entrepreneurs to use trade names just like legal entities.

n

This will create a significant advantage for entrepreneurs, especially in e-commerce and service sectors, in terms of brand building, marketing, and corporate perception.

nn

Automatic Updates for License, Title, and Address Changes

n

With the new system, bureaucracy is significantly reduced when there are changes to the basic information of the business. When changes occur in the following elements, the system will automatically update the information:

n

n
• Trade name,

n

• Trade address,

n

• Organizational-legal form,

n

• Personal data of the founders

n

n

No additional fee will be charged for these processes. This will provide operational flexibility, especially for scaling start-ups and rapidly growing SMEs.

nn

2026 Tax Policy: General Framework and Fixed Rates

n

The Ministry of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan has outlined the main lines of tax policy for the period 2026–2028. Maintaining the basic tax rates provides predictability for investors.

nn

Main Tax Rates as of 2026

n

According to the announced framework, the main tax rates to be applied in 2026 are as follows:

n

n
• Corporate Tax: 15%

n

• VAT: 12%

n

• Personal Income Tax (PIT): 12%

n

• Social Tax: 12% (25% for budget-financed organizations)

n

• Turnover Tax: 4%

n

• Property Tax for Legal Entities: 1.5%

n

• Agricultural Land Tax: 0.95% of normative value

n

n

Keeping these rates fixed allows you to foresee the tax burden over a three-year perspective when planning investments and business. Especially the combination of 15% corporate tax and 12% VAT is still considered attractive in terms of regional competitiveness.

nn

Increased Taxes in 2026: Land, Property, Water, and Energy

n

While basic rates are maintained, there will be increases in some indirect and asset-based taxes. These increases will particularly concern companies engaged in production, mining, and real estate investment.

nn

7% Increase in Land and Property Taxes

n

Starting from January 1, 2026, a 7% increase is expected in the following items:

n

n
• Land use tax,

n

• Property tax,

n

• Water resources use tax,

n

• Subsoil use tax (mining, natural resources),

n

• Minimum rental rates applied for property rental.

n

n

This increase is expected to raise costs, especially for industrial enterprises with large land and facilities, production plants, and energy-intensive sectors. When making investment decisions, this additional burden must definitely be taken into account in projections after 2026.

nn

Health-Focused Increases in Consumption Taxes

n

Uzbekistan adopts a health-focused approach in its 2026 tax policy and introduces new taxes on certain consumption products:

n

n
• Drinks containing sweeteners but no sugar: 500 som consumption tax per liter,

n

• Energy drinks: The current tax per liter of 2,000 som is increased to 2,150 som.

n

n

Starting from April 1, 2026:

n

n
• The consumption tax rate on the production and sale of petroleum products to the final consumer may be increased by 7%,

n

• Rates for polyethylene granules will be maintained at 10% and natural gas at 12%.

n

n

These changes will directly affect the pricing and margin calculations of companies operating in the beverage, energy, chemical, and petroleum products sectors.

nn

Incentives for Small Businesses and Freelancers in 2026

n

Uzbekistan aims to reduce the tax burden on micro enterprises while also simplifying the tax base.

nn

1% Turnover Tax for Annual Turnover up to 1 Billion Som

n

According to the new regulation:

n

n
• Individual entrepreneurs with an annual turnover of up to 1 billion som,

n

• Freelancers

n

n

will have a 1% turnover tax rate. The current 4% turnover tax applied to those with a turnover between 100 million som and 1 billion som is thus significantly reduced.

nn

Changes in Fixed Income Tax and Exemptions

n

On the other hand, for the sake of simplification of the system:

n

n
• The fixed income tax for individual entrepreneurs will be completely abolished,

n

• The exemption from income tax for freelancers up to 100 million som will be removed.

n

n

This change may initially seem like an additional burden for some, but with the decrease in turnover tax and the reduction of administrative burdens, the overall cost will remain manageable for most small businesses.

nn

Transition from Turnover Tax to VAT and Corporate Tax: A Strategic Threshold

n

Many SMEs in Uzbekistan operate under a simplified turnover tax regime. However, as they scale up, transitioning to VAT and full corporate tax regimes becomes inevitable.

nn

Special Incentives for Companies Transitioning in 2026

n

For companies transitioning from turnover tax to the VAT + corporate tax system in 2026, the following incentives will be applied:

n

n
• Exemption from corporate tax for one year (CIT 0%),

n

• The right to deduct accounting service expenses incurred within six months after the transition from the taxes to be paid (provided it does not exceed 3.5 times the minimum wage).

n

n

This incentive presents a serious opportunity for companies considering scaling up and institutionalizing. Transitioning at the right time and with the right model can significantly reduce your tax burden in the first year.

nn

Increase in the Threshold for Mandatory Monthly Corporate Tax Prepayment

n

Starting from 2026, the income threshold for the mandatory monthly prepayment of corporate tax is also increased:

n

n
• Current threshold: 10 billion som,

n

• New threshold: 20 billion som.

n

n

This makes cash flow management more flexible for medium-sized companies; the prepayment obligation is limited to higher volume businesses.

nn

Tax Increase for E-Commerce and Marketplace Companies in 2026

n

Uzbekistan aims to strengthen the tax base in high-growth areas of the digital economy. In this context, tax rates for e-commerce companies are being raised.

nn

Who Will Be Affected?

n

The following platforms and business models fall under this scope:

n

n
• Online marketplaces structured as marketplaces,

n

• Online stores selling with their own stock,

n

• Platforms offering digital products/services on a subscription model.

n

nn

New Rates (Effective January 1, 2026)

n

n
• Corporate tax: increases from 10% to 15%,

n

• Turnover tax: increases from 3% to 4%.

n

n

Therefore, e-commerce players choosing Uzbekistan as a logistics and customer service hub will need to revise their profitability calculations according to these new rates and, if necessary, remodel their company structures.

nn

Digitization and Simplification in Tax Administration

n

The 2026 tax reform is not just about rate changes; the functioning of tax administration is also becoming increasingly digital and simplified.

nn

Main Expected Simplifications

n

The regulations highlighted in official documents and drafts are summarized as follows:

n

n
• Widespread implementation of e-declaration and e-invoice infrastructure across all SME segments,

n

• Increased automation of VAT refund and offset processes,

n

• Transition to a risk-based audit model for small taxpayers, reducing field audits,

n

• Administrative procedures and notification of changes will largely be conducted through a unified digital platform.

n

n

These developments will generally ease the pressure of local bureaucracy and audit, which is often the most challenging area for foreign investors.

nn

Strategic Decisions When Establishing a Company in Uzbekistan: Legal Form, Tax Regime, Scale

n

Reading the 2026 regulations correctly is critical in determining how to structure your business from the outset.

nn

When Does Which Legal Form Make Sense?

n

n
• Individual entrepreneur / freelancer: Suitable for low-risk activities targeting a turnover below 1 billion som, appropriate for quick entry. The 1% turnover tax is advantageous.

n

• Limited liability company (LLC/MChJ): Generally the most flexible form for attracting investors, establishing a partnership structure, and aiming for growth.

n

• Local partnership structure: Preferred in regulated sectors, public tenders, and situations where access to local networks is desired.

n

nn

Turnover Tax or VAT + Corporate Tax?

n

In the initial phase, it is important to answer the following questions:

n

n
• How many billion som will turnover reach within 1–3 years?

n

• How high will the VAT burden be on your costs and expenses?

n

• Will your role as an exporter or B2B supplier be more significant? (Critical in terms of VAT refund/offset)

n

n

Staying with only turnover tax may seem practical in the short term for low-margin, high-volume businesses; however, the right to VAT deduction and corporate tax incentives may become more advantageous in the medium term. The one-year corporate tax exemption granted to those transitioning in 2026 makes this decision more attractive.

nn

Corpenza Approach: Company Establishment, Tax Planning, and Personnel Structuring

n

The new tax regime and digital company establishment system in Uzbekistan create an environment where both opportunity and risk rise simultaneously. Technically, it is possible to “establish a company in 15 minutes”; however, choosing the wrong tax regime, faulty contract structures, or mistakes in the hiring model can lead to costs that will last for years.

nn

What Does Corpenza Do for You?

n

Corpenza provides end-to-end support in the following areas for Uzbekistan-focused projects, just as in European and global markets:

n

n
• Company establishment strategy: Which legal form, which tax regime, which partnership structure? Structuring a model that will maximize the use of 2026 incentives.

n

• Tax and accounting structuring: Transition plan from turnover tax – VAT – corporate tax, tax risk analysis specific to your sector.

n

• International accounting and payroll (EOR/payroll) services: While creating local employment in Uzbekistan, payroll and tax planning compatible with your parent company structure in Turkey or other countries.

n

• Personnel leasing and posted worker model: Tax optimization and social security planning for personnel seconded from Turkey or the EU to Uzbekistan.

n

• Residence permit and mobility: Legal residence, work permit, and, if necessary, mobility strategies related to other countries for your managers and key personnel in Uzbekistan.

n

n

Our goal is not only to establish a company but to ensure that you build a tax-optimized, scalable, and regulation-compliant structure.

nn

Conclusion: Uzbekistan 2026 – Low Barriers, High Need for Strategy

n

By 2026, Uzbekistan will transform into a business environment where:

n

n
• Company registration can be done in 15 minutes,

n

• 15% corporate tax, 12% VAT, and 1% turnover tax for small businesses are competitive,

n

• Offering a digitalized tax administration and SME-friendly incentives.

n

n

However, at the same time:

n

n
• 7% increase in taxes on property, land, water, and mining,

n

• Increase in tax rates for e-commerce companies,

n

• Balance of exemptions/removals in freelance and individual entrepreneur regimes.

n

n

Such elements make it risky to take steps without planning.

n

If your strategy is to expand into Central Asia, or to spread your production or IT/e-commerce operations to this region, 2026 will be a strong year to evaluate the Uzbekistan window. At this point, proceeding with a holistic consultancy that can see company establishment, tax, payroll, and international personnel mobility together will provide significant advantages in the medium and long term.

nn

Disclaimer

n

This text is prepared solely for general informational purposes. The information here is based on regulations expected to come into force by 2026 and publicly available sources; however, it does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice in any way. Before establishing a company, engaging in tax planning, or making an investment decision in Uzbekistan, we recommend that you check the current legislation from official sources and seek professional support from a qualified legal/tax advisor. Legislation, rates, and implementation principles may have changed after the publication of this text.