LEGAL REGULATION OF TAXATION OF AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY IN EU MEMBER STATES

An analysis of the legal regulation of agricultural taxation in the EU member sates on the example of Poland, Czech Republic and Austria was made. A number of tax benefits for agricultural producers, which are contained in the legislation of the above countries, have been identified: reduction of income tax on farms; real estate tax benefits; discounts on tax on fuel; absence of taxes on property inherited or agricultural land and buildings, the ownership of which is acquired on the basis of a gift agreement; reduction of contributions under a special social insurance scheme. The urgency of the issue of providing tax benefits for agricultural producers in Ukraine, introduction of a special tax regime, which would contribute to the formation of a balanced structure of agro-industrial production was highlighted. It was noted that implementation of the experience of EU member states in the field of taxation of agricultural activities in domestic agricultural sector of the economy is extremely important and requires changes to legislation. Tax burden affects the profits of agricultural producers and is one of the key factors influencing the development of the agricultural sector in the country, the competitiveness of small and medium-sized socially oriented agricultural businesses, and reflects the priorities of agricultural activities. Therefore, the legal regulation of agricultural production is one of the key issues on the agenda. Ukraine needs to reform the system of taxation of agricultural production in order to form a balanced structure of agro-industrial production on the model of European countries.