Brčko: Proposed Facilitations for 'Freelancers' in the District

(Patria) - Member of the Brčko District Assembly Safet Imamović and Head of the Department for Professional and Administrative Affairs of the Brčko District Government Milijana Simić have submitted an initiative aimed at simplifying tax procedures and administrative obligations for 'freelancers' in the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina towards the District.

This involves amendments to the rulebook on the application of the Income Tax Law, in such a way that natural persons, i.e., residents who are taxpayers based on income earned abroad, according to the currently valid legal solution, must submit the appropriate AMS form every month to report their income and pay an advance tax based on the monthly income amount.

- The new legal solution would mean that every taxpayer earning income from abroad would report their tax liability once a year. Then, the facilitation would be calculated, and the tax liability determined. This would reduce the administrative burden on freelancers and, unlike other administrative units in the country, enable them more favorable business conditions in our city. It would also reduce material and administrative costs, and free up more time for both freelancers and administrative workers who currently unnecessarily reserve funds in advance for taxes - explained Safet Imamović, a member of the Brčko District Assembly of BiH.

Imamović states that the proposal came precisely from freelancers, because most of them, due to their specific working hours, are unable to go to the Tax Administration every month. Also, their funds are 'frozen' because they are later returned through the tax refund system. These two specific issues were, according to Imamović, the main reasons for launching this initiative.

- Good legal solutions, quality infrastructure, and everything that can improve or facilitate business conditions for freelancers should be the subject of our consideration in the future. I am glad that freelancers have recognized this initiative, and I invite them to contact us so that, in accordance with the law, we can provide them with all possible facilitations - added Imamović.

Edmir Fazlović, who works as a freelancer, says he supports this initiative because, as he says, the Brčko District needs freedom for freelancers in every sense, as the city has enormous potential, but to utilize it, it is necessary to create a space where young people will feel valued, supported, and free to develop their ideas.

- Our city needs a HUB, a center where freelancers, innovators, all those who feel that way, and digital entrepreneurs can connect, learn, collaborate, and create together. This would be a step forward not only for young people but also for the District's economy. With smart facilitations and simplified procedures, Brčko can become a regional gathering point for startups and digital nomads, people who bring knowledge, capital, and new business opportunities - stated Fazlović.

Imamović says that the further procedure involves the mayor forming a working group that will analyze the initiative, check its compliance with the law and all relevant legal norms. He expects the Directorate for Finance to prepare a request for amendments to the Law, or the Income Tax rulebook, which will be sent to the Brčko District Assembly.