The move explains the delay in rolling out the initiative, which has been widely debated, Malaj told a press conference.

“All bylaws and relevant instructions have been finalised by the Ministry of Finance. Given that these were highly debated laws, we have forwarded the implementing acts to our international partners,” he said.

Malaj said authorities are awaiting feedback, including possible recommendations or revisions.

“Once we receive responses from our international partners, we will immediately proceed with their publication and, without delay, the full implementation of the law on fiscal peace as well as the amnesty of tax and customs liabilities,” he added.

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Speaking at a news conference on 2025 economic indicators and the outlook for next year, Ibrahimaj referred to a recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) report, saying the government had reviewed it carefully but maintains a positive assessment of the fiscal peace initiative.

In its statement following the 2025 Article IV consultation, the IMF said the agreement – which includes debt forgiveness and preferential revaluation of financial statements – could weaken tax administration and compliance.

Ibrahimaj said participation in the scheme is voluntary and designed to provide predictability for both businesses and the state budget.

“It is important that businesses know what they will pay, just as the state must know what revenues it will collect,” she said.

The package includes forward-looking voluntary agreements with tax authorities and measures to address past liabilities, allowing companies to move forward without inherited financial burdens, she added.

Ibrahimaj rejected concerns over fiscal risks, saying projections point to continued economic growth and revenue performance next year, and noted that Albania’s Medium-Term Revenue Strategy is aligned with European Union tax policies.

“Our path is toward alignment with EU standards, and nothing in this package threatens fiscal sustainability,” she said.

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Speaking at a meeting with entrepreneurs, Rama said companies face no consequences if they choose not to participate.

“Fiscal peace is a voluntary agreement. We offer peace; if you don’t want it, that is your right, no problem. It is for all businesses that want to review their accounts. You can say, ‘I don’t want to review any invoices because I’m in compliance.’ If later irregularities are found, that’s another matter,” he said.

Rama emphasized that opting out of Fiscal Peace has no legal repercussions. “It is for anyone who wants peace. Anyone who wants to self-correct can do so under this framework without being considered a violator or a tax evader. If you don’t want to, that’s your right – there are no penalties. You will, of course, face the usual audits, bureaucratic procedures, and administrative obligations,” he said.

He added that the initiative provides businesses with a legal advantage by allowing them to regularize their accounts and ensure compliance if profits increase.

“Agreeing with the tax administration is voluntary. You can choose to correct past accounts or not – it’s your decision. There is no obligation, we are clear on that,” Rama said.

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Speaking at a meeting with the business community during the presentation of the 2026 Fiscal Package, Rama described the dialogue as the start of a new chapter in cooperation between government and entrepreneurs, focused on formalisation, sustainable economic growth and Albania’s preparations for European Union integration.

Addressing questions on the fiscal peace scheme, Rama said it would cover only those entities not facing active criminal investigations or court proceedings that call into question the legitimacy of their income.

“The distinction is very simple and very clear,” Rama said. “This is a settlement with all those who are not currently in conflict with the law in the Republic of Albania – those without open criminal cases or court proceedings that affect the legitimacy of their revenues.”

He added that other cases would be handled through procedures clearly defined in the legislation already approved.

The government head said the initiative would allow businesses to voluntarily correct past financial declarations at a minimal cost.

“If a business wishes to revisit previously declared financial statements and submit revised declarations to the tax administration, reflecting self-corrected income, it will pay only 5% of the newly declared profit,” he said. “In this way, it formalises income that was not previously declared, without complications.”

Asked about eligibility criteria, Rama said there were no special conditions beyond compliance with the law.

“There are no specific criteria, other than not being in conflict with the law – meaning no open legal proceedings or records that cast doubt on the legitimacy of the business,” he said.

Rama said nearly the entire business community would benefit from the measure, estimating that “99.99% of enterprises” fall into this category.

The 2026 Fiscal Package aims to boost economic formalisation, strengthen trust between the state and businesses, and create a more competitive environment as Albania advances toward EU membership.

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Taking the floor during regular parliamentary session where the 2026 budget and fiscal package are being discussed, Rama emphasized that the “Fiscal Peace” initiative allows businesses to settle old financial issues, enhancing trust and cooperation between enterprises and tax authorities. The initiative is also designed to cut administrative costs for businesses.

Rama invited all businesses to review the fiscal package, which includes four key forms of tax debt forgiveness, namely complete pardon for unpaid debts older than 10 years; 50% debt forgiveness for obligations between 5-10 years old, provided the remaining amount is paid immediately, including full forgiveness of fines and interest; 25% debt forgiveness for debts in the 5-10 year range, if the remaining balance is paid in installments within the year, along with forgiveness of fines and interest; forgiveness of fines and late fees for debts between 1-5 years, provided the full tax and contribution for that period are paid.

“This initiative not only provides relief from old burdens but also gives businesses the chance to correct past declarations and financial statements,” said Rama.

For any corrected difference between old and new declarations, businesses will only be subject to a 5% tax on profits, the government head added.

Rama further stated that businesses could voluntarily increase their taxable profit by 18% compared to the previous year, with any profit above this threshold being taxed at just 5%.

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The government head said that the initiative is designed to provide relief to entrepreneurs, sparing them of inspections by tax administration.

“I would like to inform you that a meeting with business is scheduled to take place in the next few days and everyone is invited to learn more about the planed fiscal peace. We have a plan that I have already mentioned recently given business interest. It is a mechanism used fiscal peace with business, an instrument known since ancient Rome, which implies an agreement between the government and business community about tax contribution. we will propose to business, as early as June, a negotiated fiscal peace agreement for a 2-year period, with 15% of the tax being paid on the profit in line with the economic growth rate, while paying only a 5% tax rate for any additional profit that the business will declare above that rate. The negotiated fiscal peace also implies the end of any kind of inspection of the business,” PM Rama said.

The government head underlined that under the agreement, businesses will be provided the opportunity to declare income they have failed to declare previously without facing any penalties.

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