NOTHING CHANGES Tegeltija has not corrected the national imbalance, and more than 220 Bosniaks are still missing in the Indirect Taxation Authority

(Patria) - The number of employees in the Indirect Taxation Authority of BiH as of October 1, 2025, was 2,401, including permanent, fixed-term, and trainees. The ITA did not provide data on the ethnic affiliation of its 149 fixed-term employees.

The ITA employs 877 Bosniaks, 854 Serbs, 464 Croats, 12 Others, and two employees who do not declare their ethnicity.

Compared to the data from August 2024, there is no significant difference in the ethnic structure of employees, although there has been a recommendation from the Internal Audit Department since 2017 to ensure that the structure of employees in the ITA of BiH reflects the ethnic structure of the population in BiH according to the last census.

During the tenure of Director Miro Džakula (HDZ), and then Zoran Tegeltija (SNSD), who took office in June 2023, the national balance was significantly disrupted to the detriment of Bosniaks as the most numerous nation in BiH.

The new data shows an increase in the number of employees from the Serb and Croat communities. According to the 2013 Census, there are about 220 fewer Bosniaks in the ITA than there should be.

Regarding the number of Serbs according to the 2013 Census, there are 169 more Serbs than they are entitled to, and 122 more Croats.

In the period from January 2023 to October 1, 2025, 97 civil servants were hired, including 36 Bosniaks, 37 Serbs, 19 Croats, three Others, and two who do not declare their ethnicity. In the same period, 279 employees were hired, including 104 Bosniaks, 115 Serbs, 58 Croats, and two Others.

Regarding the number of management positions, there are 211 positions, including Director Zoran Tegeltija. Bosniaks hold 83 positions, Serbs hold 82, and Croats hold 45.

On Friday, December 26, the ITA celebrated 22 years of operation. Director Tegeltija stated that by the end of 2025, the ITA will collect 12.2 billion KM in indirect tax revenue, representing a growth of 5.6% compared to 2024.

He added that the work results could be even better if the working conditions for ITA employees were improved, and he particularly emphasized the staffing levels of the ITA, noting that they are facing a brain drain. This is linked to the financial status of the employees. Throughout 2025, employees' salaries did not increase, regardless of the increased base, because no Budget was adopted.