Lesya Karnaukh: State Tax Service is working to ensure that more communities introduce the tourist tax

Press service of the State Tax Service of Ukraine, published 27 July 2026 at 15:50 Chapter: News

State Tax Service of Ukraine is working to ensure that more communities introduce the tourist tax. This are funds that work specifically for development of communities. 

This was stated by acting Head of the State Tax Service Lesya Karnaukh during the meeting with Chairperson of the State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine Natalya Tabaka.

Lesya Karnaukh noted that today Ukrainians are increasingly choosing to travel around Ukraine. It is not only about recreation, but also about development of domestic tourism.

But there is another important thing that few people think about. Tourist tax that we pay when we stay in hotels or estates. These are funds that remain in communities and go to their development. 

"According to results of the first half of 2026, local budgets received 174.9 million UAH of the tourist tax. The increase compared to the last year is 22.6%. In total, more than 6.1 thousand payers paid the tourist tax" – Lesya Karnaukh added. 

She emphasized that potential of revenues from the tourist tax is far from exhausted. Therefore, the State Tax Service is looking for the new mechanisms for close interaction with local authorities and representatives of the tourism industry. In the context of decentralization, it is communities that should be most interested in expanding circle of tax agents and increasing revenues that will work to develop local tourism infrastructure. 

"Because when, according to experts, 20-30% of the market operates in the "shadow", it means that communities do not receive enough funds to implement their own projects" – said acting Head of the State Tax Service. 

She stated that the State Tax Service recently launched a draft project to improve the tourist tax administration in four communities in Khmelnytskyi and Chernivtsi regions. This includes regular data exchange, joint analytics, outreach, methodological support and creation of efficiency monitoring system.

"And I know that other communities are already interested in this experience. As it is primarily their funds. Therefore, we are working to reduce number of communities that have not yet introduced the tourist tax. After all, today they are almost a third of the total number" – she added. 

Tax Service strives to help communities make this process as transparent as possible. High-quality analytics, information on accrued and paid amounts, tax debt, benefits, overpayments and other indicators are what we are always ready to provide to communities. 

Acting Head of the State Tax Service noted that it is important that everyone who provides temporary accommodation services works according to the same rules. This is not only a matter of taxes. This is fair competition, support for honest business and additional resources for community development. And here cooperation is very important, including with the State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine.