Behind the Numbers Stand People

Memoirs of Saule Shaikhatovna Sisemalieva,

Veteran of the Tax Service of the Mangystau Region

On the eve of Financier’s Day and the Day of the National Currency — the Tenge — the significance of our profession is felt especially keenly. It is the work of financiers and tax officers that ensures the stability of the budget, the development of the economy, and the well-being of citizens. The national currency — the tenge — is a symbol of Kazakhstan’s Independence and economic strength, and behind its stability stand the daily efforts of thousands of specialists.

When I was studying at university, I was certain — as were all my teachers and my entire group — that taxation was perhaps the last field in which I would ever work. I was very fond of economic theory. We were trained both as economists and as teachers. I was good at explaining things, and it seemed to me that teaching was my true calling.

After graduating, I did indeed work briefly as a teacher. But life led me to the Tax Inspectorate of the city of Aktau. I still clearly remember the words of my first supervisor, Amanzhol Kanenovich Kachakov: “We need to analyse budget revenues in detail. You have just been teaching, which means you have studied everything in theory. Now show it in practice.”

I arrived at the department. I was told that all the data was with the bookkeepers. I opened the first ledger book I came across — and saw nothing but endless figures. At that moment I thought: can anyone really understand any of this? Yet it turned out that it was precisely these figures that I came to love deeply. I discovered that behind them stand people, facts, and a wide variety of events. What citizens see in the news is merely a reflection of the work that passes through the tax authorities.

Investments by the population in the form of tax payments flow into the state budget. The timeliness and completeness of these receipts are controlled by the staff of the tax authorities. Taxes finance roads, buildings, social programmes — everything that makes our life civilised. Taxes are the price we pay for the opportunity to live in a developed country. Our everyday work is aimed at increasing tax revenues, legalising the tax base, and raising the level of voluntary compliance. Citizens must understand that paying taxes is not a punishment, but an investment in the future of the country. The funds given to the state return to people in the form of social benefits and guarantees. It is for this goal that we work.

The history of fiscal authorities is as ancient as statehood itself. The tax system of independent Kazakhstan emerged in the 1990s, yet in a relatively short time the tax authorities have established themselves as a dynamically developing structure. We apply new technologies, forms, and methods of work in order to fulfil our main task — ensuring the sustainable replenishment of the budget. The successful work of the tax authorities creates additional opportunities to increase the salaries of public-sector employees, pensions and benefits, to develop agriculture, to construct housing, and to implement other social programmes of the state.

The unofficial motto of the inspection’s staff has long been the rule: to build relations with the taxpayer on the basis of trust and mutual respect. High results can be achieved only when the professionalism of employees is combined with the ability to build such relations. The main principle of the work of the state revenue authorities is to interfere as little as possible in the activities of business entities. That is why we place the emphasis on analytical tools. A sufficiently complete information resource has been created that makes it possible to obtain information about the taxpayer. The tax service pays great attention to creating favourable conditions for the voluntary and timely payment of taxes, to high-quality services, and to the development of electronic services.

Many people now speak of the need for digitalisation. The digital economy is not only an economy of knowledge, but also an economy of trust. In the future, technologies will make it possible to create a system of voluntary compliance with tax legislation. I am convinced that digitalisation is necessary. By introducing digital technologies into the activities of tax administrations, we are building a new economy and acquiring new knowledge. Yet no technology will work without trained and competent people.

The modern tax inspector is a person capable of analytical thinking, rapid learning, and prolonged concentration. He or she must be able to make decisions quickly, possess a good memory, and be demanding of themselves and of colleagues. Emotional stability, impartiality, honesty, and responsibility are also essential.

The unchanging foundation of our service remains the people who honestly and conscientiously fulfil their duty to the state and understand the full importance of the work entrusted to them. The greatest value of any team is its employees. The successful and effective work of an organisation depends directly on their professional qualities and talents.

I would like to express special gratitude to all those who stood at the origins and made a worthy contribution to the development of the tax and financial system of the region. These include Bakalbayeva Gulnara Saginbayevna, Zhanyl Zhumagulovna, and Li Lidiya Alekseyevna. More than twenty years in the tax authorities were served by Zhansulu Babayeva, Ryskul Burkitbayeva, Andrey Smirnov, Zhanar Utepbergenova, Madeniyet Tolemis, Rzagul Zhangylbayeva, Raushan Turganbayeva, and many others.

Taking this opportunity, I wish to thank my colleagues for their conscientious work, for the responsible performance of their official duties, and for their ability to conduct a competent and correct dialogue with taxpayers. Special words of gratitude go to our veterans, whose professional experience remains in demand today. In the daily hustle, in the endless stream of taxpayers, inspectors rarely hear words of thanks. Yet it is precisely the work of the tax service that is the guarantee of stability for those who bring culture, knowledge, and health to the people, and who protect the peace and quiet of the country’s citizens.

To the Young Employees

Dear young colleagues! You have entered the profession in an era of great change — digitalisation, new technologies, and high demands on the quality of work. I wish you never to lose the curiosity that I once felt when I opened my first ledger book. Learn to see people and real life behind the numbers. Be honest, responsible, and respectful towards taxpayers. May your professional path be rich, and may each day bring a sense of pride in your contribution to the development of our country. We, the veterans, believe in you and are always ready to share our experience. Success, confidence, and bright achievements!

Happy holidays to you — Financier’s Day and the Day of the National Currency, the Tenge! Strong health, professional victories, and well-being to you and your families!

Sisemalieva Saule Shaikhatovna,

Veteran and Excellence Award holder of the Tax Service

of the Mangystau Region