Taxes for marketplace sellers in Kazakhstan are the set of mandatory payments (VAT, corporate income tax, personal income tax, social and pension contributions, etc.) that a seller must consider when selling via platforms such as Kaspi.kz. Choosing the correct tax regime and properly accounting for transactions directly affects net profit and the risk of payment or account restrictions.
How it works: who pays and what determines the tax burden
The tax burden depends on the seller’s legal form, the chosen tax regime and whether the seller is registered as a VAT payer. The main types of sellers on Kaspi.kz are individual entrepreneurs (IE/individuals), limited liability companies (LLP) and other legal entities. Foreign sellers usually need local registration or must use a tax agent.
- VAT payers: enterprises and IEs registered as VAT payers charge and report VAT at 12% (the standard rate in the RK). Product prices can be shown with or without VAT; it is important to correctly separate the tax in documents.
- Corporate income tax (CIT): for resident LLPs and other legal entities the current corporate tax rate is 20% of taxable profit (taxable profit = income minus allowable expenses).
- Personal income tax (PIT): for individuals the tax on personal income is usually 10% of received income unless another preferential regime applies.
- Social and pension contributions: mandatory payments to the social insurance fund and pension accumulations depend on the status of employees/IE and are calculated according to the Tax Code and social insurance legislation.
The tax burden is also affected by marketplace commissions (Kaspi withholds fees for sales and logistics services), return costs, logistics expenses (FBS/FBO) and marketing. Marketplace commissions are generally treated as seller expenses and reduce taxable profit if documented correctly.
Main taxes and reporting: deadlines and important documents
Key seller obligations for accounting and reporting:
- VAT (12%) — registered VAT payers file declarations and pay VAT according to deadlines set by the Tax Code. In practice VAT is accounted for based on transactions in the reporting period; for typical payers this is often a monthly declaration.
- Corporate tax (20%) — legal entities prepare an annual tax return; during the year advance payments may be required according to the rules applicable to the taxpayer’s category.
- Personal income tax (10%) — for individuals on the general regime income is taxed at 10%, plus mandatory social contributions where applicable. Individual entrepreneurs should also account for social payments according to their status.
- Reporting and primary documents — keep contracts, invoices, acts of delivery/acceptance, cashier receipts and settlement statements from Kaspi. Properly issued primary documents are the basis for recognizing expenses and input VAT.
Also pay attention to reporting deadlines and the rules for correcting documents: late filing or missing required details in invoices may lead to refused VAT deductions and penalties. When using marketplace logistics, save waybills and settlement statements from Kaspi as proof of service costs.
Why this matters to a Kaspi.kz seller: risks and consequences
Incorrect tax accounting can lead to fines, additional tax assessments and even suspension of settlements on the marketplace. Common risks for marketplace sellers include:
- Incorrect qualification of revenues and expenses, which leads to overstated tax liabilities or denied VAT deductions.
- Mismatches between Kaspi reports and your accounting, resulting in tax audits or requests for clarification from the tax authority.
- Failure to register as a VAT payer when required (for example, after crossing the threshold) can trigger fines and penalties.
- Poor documentation for commissions, returns and logistics costs can prevent recognition of allowable expenses.
To reduce these risks, reconcile your sales ledger with Kaspi’s settlement reports regularly, make sure all invoices and acts are issued to your TIN, and keep records of returns and refunds with proper correction documents.
Calculation examples and typical situations on Kaspi.kz
Below are simplified examples to illustrate typical calculations. They are for illustration only; consult your accountant for specifics.
- Example 1 — VAT-inclusive price: If you sell an item for KZT 10,000 including VAT, the VAT portion at 12% is KZT 1,071.43 and the net price is KZT 8,928.57. When reporting, the VAT collected is declared and the input VAT (e.g., on marketplace commissions) can be deducted if properly documented.
- Example 2 — corporate tax: An LLP has annual revenue KZT 10,000,000 and allowable expenses KZT 7,000,000 (including documented marketplace fees). Taxable profit is KZT 3,000,000, corporate tax at 20% equals KZT 600,000 (before any adjustments or special rules).
- Typical returns handling: when a buyer returns a product through Kaspi, issue a return act and a correcting invoice so revenue and VAT are reduced in the period of the return. Coordinate with Kaspi’s statements to ensure amounts match.
Always base calculations on actual documents and Kaspi settlement statements. If Kaspi issues a single consolidated invoice or statement for services, ensure it contains your TIN and the necessary details to accept input VAT and expenses.
Practical tips for Kaspi.kz sellers
- Keep all primary documents issued on your TIN: contracts, invoices, acts, waybills and Kaspi settlement statements.
- Track and reconcile Kaspi reports with your accounting on a regular basis (monthly recommended) to detect discrepancies early.
- Consider voluntary VAT registration if it brings advantages (for example, businesses with large input VAT).
- Document marketplace commissions and logistics costs carefully so they can be recognized as expenses for corporate tax purposes.
- Automate accounting where possible: use accounting software or integrations that can import Kaspi statements and generate required reports.
- When in doubt, consult a tax advisor familiar with Kazakhstan tax rules and e-commerce specifics on marketplaces like Kaspi.kz.
Conclusion
Taxes for sellers on Kaspi.kz combine standard corporate and personal tax rules with marketplace-specific issues: commissions, returns and logistics. Accurate documentation, timely registration (when required), and regular reconciliation with Kaspi reports help minimize tax risks and optimize net income. Plan the tax regime based on your turnover, expense structure and long-term business plans, and use automation and professional advice where appropriate.
Часто задаваемые вопросы
- Do I need to register as a VAT payer if I sell goods on Kaspi.kz and my turnover is growing?
- Registration as a VAT payer is mandatory when you exceed the threshold set by the Tax Code, and also when importing VATable goods. You can also register voluntarily if it’s beneficial for the business. After registration you must charge VAT at 12% and file the relevant reports.
- How should I account for Kaspi’s commission when calculating profit tax and VAT?
- The marketplace commission is included in allowable expenses when determining taxable profit (for LLPs — the basis for corporate tax at 20%). If VAT is specified on the commission invoice, the seller can reclaim input VAT provided correct primary documents are available. Check whether Kaspi issues documents to your TIN and whether the invoice contains all required details.
- How should income from Kaspi sales be reported for an individual entrepreneur — pay 10% PIT or choose a special regime?
- If an IE operates under the general regime, income is subject to personal income tax at 10% plus mandatory social contributions. An IE may switch to available special regimes (if eligible), which change the tax calculation and amounts. The choice depends on revenue volume, expense structure and whether you have employees — it’s recommended to model approximate taxes before changing regimes.
- What documents from Kaspi are needed to claim input VAT?
- To claim input VAT you need correct primary documents: an invoice (schet-faktura), an act (or equivalent document) and a contract issued to your TIN and compliant with the Tax Code requirements. Documents must confirm the fact and composition of the transaction and the VAT accrual date. Without such documents, the tax inspector generally will not accept the VAT deduction.
- How to adjust taxes when a buyer returns a product through the marketplace?
- Prepare return documents: a return act and a correcting invoice to reduce the tax base and VAT for the period. Make corresponding adjustments in tax reporting — reflect the reduction in income and VAT in the return period. Keep all supporting documents and reconcile calculations with the marketplace’s reports.
