Tax exemption for Alexievich's Nobel Prize depends on government

The Minsk City Tax Authority is prepared to releive Belarusian writer Svetlana Alexievich of tax on her Nobel Prize in Literature but it is the government that has to make this decision, Minsk Tax Authority Deputy Head Halina Hurynovich said.

"If we receive a government's resolution to releive Svetlana Alexievich of tax on her Nobel Prize, we will of course follow it. If there is a resolution, she will not pay. If there is no, she will pay," BelaPAN quotes the official as saying.

Previously, tax officials said Alexievich could be tax-exempt only on the orders of the head of state. If she is not relieved of this tax, Alexievich will have to pay 13% of tax on her Nobel Prize.

Minisrty for Taxes spokesperson Sierhei Shkut said earlier that Belarus' Taxation Code does not provide for tax benefits for Nobel Prize laureates. Benefuts are only for the laureates of state and president's awards.