Statement by think tanks regarding the entry into force of Law of Ukraine No. 4903-IX of 9 June 2026 (on digital platforms)
Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund
Ms Kristalina Georgieva
European Commissioner for Enlargement
Ms Marta Kos
Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine
Ms Katarina Maternova
Regarding the entry into force of the Law of Ukraine
No. 4903-IX of 9 June 2026 (on digital
platforms)
Dear international partners!
Think tanks specialising in economic policy wish to express their respect and raise the issue of the prolonged delay in the entry into force of Law of Ukraine No. 4903-IX of 9 June 2026 ‘On Amendments to the Tax Code of Ukraine and Other Legislative Acts of Ukraine Regarding the Introduction of the International Automatic Exchange of Information on Income Received Through Digital Platforms and the Taxation of Such Income’ (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Law on Digital Platforms’).
We believe that this Act contains a number of important reforms, the implementation of which is of significant importance for the development of the Ukrainian economy, the fulfilment of Ukraine’s international obligations and the de-shadowing of certain sectors.
The Act implements international approaches to the automatic exchange of information between digital platforms and tax authorities, brings Ukrainian legislation into line with OECD and European Union standards, and establishes a simple mechanism for the voluntary payment of taxes by hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian citizens.
This is precisely why the Digital Platforms Act has received the support of leading business associations and has been positively assessed by leading think tanks as a tool for bringing the economy out of the shadows, simplifying administration and establishing a level playing field for the new digital economy.
At the same time, changes relating to the financial monitoring of politically exposed persons (PEPs) have become the subject of public debate. In our view, financial monitoring of such individuals should continue to be an important tool for preventing corruption and money laundering, but the controls must be proportionate, based on realistic risk assessments and in line with the FATF’s international standards on a risk-based approach.
The proposed changes are designed to remove excessive automatic restrictions applied solely on the basis of a person’s former PEP status, whilst maintaining the appropriate anti-corruption control mechanisms provided for by the FATF’s international rules.
We note that the current Ukrainian model of financial monitoring of politically exposed persons is significantly broader and more burdensome than that in the European Union. It requires harmonisation with European practice to ensure a balance between transparency, the effectiveness of controls and the protection of citizens’ rights.
We also believe that a review of certain requirements for financial oversight of politically exposed persons may be acceptable, provided that an appropriate level of transparency and accountability is maintained, particularly against the backdrop of the gradual strengthening of anti-corruption institutions (NABU and SAPO), which have recently demonstrated their effectiveness and serve as an important safeguard and additional guarantee of integrity in the public sector.
At the same time, we believe that the practice of combining provisions of different substance (taxation and PEP) within a single piece of legislation is unacceptable, as it runs counter to the logic of the legislative process.
Ukraine today requires swift and high-quality economic reforms that will help reduce administrative barriers, bring economic activity out of the shadow economy, and further integrate Ukraine into the European economic area. The Law on Digital Platforms is one such instrument; therefore, any delay in its entry into force may postpone these important changes.
In this regard, we ask the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund to facilitate the adoption of a balanced decision that would ensure the Digital Platforms Act comes into force, whilst allowing for the further refinement of certain provisions through constructive dialogue between the Ukrainian authorities and international partners.
Yours faithfully,
Think tanks:
Centre for Social and Economic Research – CASE Ukraine
Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting
Centre for Economic Recovery
Institute for Socio-Economic Transformation
Centre for Economic Strategy
Ukrainian Institute for Legal Policy
“ANTS” Network for the Protection of National Interests
Growford Institute
Institute for Tax Reforms
Association of Tax Advisers
Advanter Group Think Tank
Office of the Chief Economist of the Coalition of Business Communities for the Modernisation of Ukraine
Institute of Finance and Law
“Technologies of Progress” Analytical Centre