I How to obtain tax certificates for transferring money abroad?

Non-residents planning on transferring money from Serbia abroad may face certain difficulties, given the fact that this is a complex process which, aside from specific details, may differ from case to case.

This procedure requires parallel proceedings before two competent authorities:

1. Commercial bank where the natural or legal person has an open non-resident account;
2. Tax Administration branch corresponding to the registered office of the commercial bank where the non-resident account is opened.

Per Article 29 of the Law about Foreign Exchange Operations, the non-resident operating via the non-resident account and the resident – the branch of the legal person operating via the resident account, transfer funds through those accounts abroad, provided that they have previously settled their tax obligations related to that transaction in the Republic of Serbia, for which they must submit a certificate from the competent tax authority confirming the settlement of tax liabilities.

Thus, a tax certificate is a necessary prerequisite for a commercial bank to carry out a money transfer abroad. In practice, however, many natural as well as legal persons are often unsure of the exact steps involved, what documents need to be prepared, and how to avoid potential complications throughout the process.

II What is a tax certificate and why is it necessary?

A tax certificate is a document issued by the Tax Administration, which confirms that all your tax obligations within the Republic of Serbia have been settled. This certificate is a prerequisite for money transfer abroad, whether it involves personal funds, business transactions, or other types of payments. Without this document, banks and other financial institutions refuse to carry out the transfer.

III How to obtain a tax certificate?

The process for obtaining a tax certificate includes several steps:

• Submitting a Request to the Tax Administration – You must complete the appropriate application form and submit it to the relevant branch office, along with payment of the prescribed administrative fee;
• Preparing Documentation – Depending on the purpose of the transfer, additional documents may be required — such as contracts, invoices, or proof of the origin of funds;
• Tax Status Verification – The Tax Administration will check whether you have any outstanding obligations related to public revenues or other dues, any such debts may delay the issuance of the certificate;
• Issuance of the Certificate – Once it is confirmed that all obligations have been settled, the tax certificate is issued and can be used to facilitate the money transfer.

IV Do I need to have a Tax Representative and a Non-Resident Tax ID (PIB)?

To obtain a tax certificate, a non-resident natural or legal person must hold a non-resident tax identification number (PIB) in Serbia. The procedure for obtaining a PIB differs depending on whether the applicant is an individual or a legal entity. In both cases, the non-resident is required to appoint a tax representative, in accordance with Article 14 of the Law on Tax Procedure and Tax Administration. If the tax representative is a licensed attorney, the power of attorney does not need to be notarized.

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