GREECE: Cash Registers with fiscal memory vulnerable to manipulation

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It was reported that during 63 inspections carried out over the past days, Greek authorities encountered 33 violations and 39 offenders, while delinquency rate exceeded 50%.

Inspectors involved in the audits indicated that new methods are being implemented in order to conceal tax evasion. Several business owners are tapping into their cash registers in order to make their daily turnover appear lower than it really is, while also making it appear as if the business has issued the right amount of receipts. This decreases VAT revenue for the state, while authorities are not able to detect any form of tax evasion.

If receipt doesn’t contain verifiable signature committing a fraud is very simple, for example: POS software can be connected to more than one printer mechanism.

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Croatia: Tax Police launched the summer operation

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The start of the summer season for taxpayers in Croatia always means business with highest turnover and a lot of work. Some of them are also trying real hard to avoid paying taxes and this calls for higher engagement of the tax inspectors who are moving around Adriatic coast every summer, especially in the time of big concerts and festivals.
At the beginning of this year’s session, Tax Police published information of the inspections conducted in the period between June 15-30. Inspectors visited 625 taxpayers, and in 24% of the examined cases found irregularities on the basis of the current Fiscal Law. Some 7% of examined taxpayers were sanctioned by temporary cessation of their business activities due to the failure to issue fiscal receipts and failure to make payments of declared tax in the prescribed time.

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Greece: A pledge to crack down on tax evasion

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ATHENS: Tax Inspectors are making frequent and surprise visits, mainly to restaurants, in order to assure new tax rate 23% (up from 13%) is being collected and reported correctly by taxpayers.

Fiscal receipts were in use since 1988 when Greece has enacted fiscal law (hard regulation) for the first time, mandating the use of fiscal devices (Government Gazette 222Α/05.10.1988). Since this introduction there has been several updates of device technical specifications over the years, covering variety of models to suite all business needs, including mobile devices to cover transportation. In time, fraudsters have discovered easy ways to keep separate set of books and again continue to dodge tax.

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New York, USA: Bill against zappers and phantom-ware

TITLE:

An act to amend the tax law, in relation to prohibiting the use of automated sales suppression devices, zappers or phantom-ware

PURPOSE:

To make it illegal for a person to knowingly purchase, possess, install, update, maintain, upgrade, transfer or use any automated sales suppression device, zapper or phantom-ware.

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New York, USA: Tax evasion still leads the race

New York tax evasion.Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., announced that a New York State Supreme Court Grand Jury has issued a report outlining a series of recommendations to prevent fraud related to sales suppression software programs. These programs – which include “Phantom-ware” and “Zappers” – can be used by businesses to automatically falsify financial records by giving the appearance of fewer and smaller transactions and, as a result, less taxable revenue.

New York State was the first to release anti-zapper bill (sponsored by Senator Liz Krueger). Same draft was used in 30+ States, out of which 20 have made it a law, but New York State is stalling.

Sen. Krueger believes it’s the kind of policy that should generate bipartisan support since it merely helps the state enforce existing tax laws. “I sort of think this bill is a no-brainer,” Krueger said in 2011 interview.

What has happened in the past 5 years leading to this Grand Jury verdict?

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TURKEY: upgrading 2 million fiscal cash registers

Turkey fiscal cash registers: TK-RA.2 million fiscal cash registers in Turkey will be replaced this year with a new generation of devices approved by the Turkish Revenue Administration.

Within the new framework of the fight plan against underground economy the traditional security on fiscal cash registers is upgraded to a so-called new generation devices.

The transition started in 2013 when nearly 120.000 merchants choose benefits over the mandatory compliance requirements to issue fiscal receipts. Benefits such as remote device service diagnostic, PLU management, processing credit card transactions, etc all within a single device on a merchant’s counter. Many traders however are comfortable with older devices and will wait to adopt higher security devices until the final deadline call for upgrade.

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Mississippi: Tax evasion, business as usual

Mississippi tax evasion: 635658200746159149-fannin-mart-restaurant.The owner of Fannin Mart Restaurant pleaded guilty to two of eight counts of tax evasion in Rankin County Circuit Court.

A judge on Monday sentenced Steve Page, the owner of the popular restaurant on Mississippi 25 in Flowood, to five years in prison with two years suspended, and three years house arrest.

Page was indicted in October of last year on eight counts of felony tax evasion and eight counts of fraudulent statements and representations.

Page reported to have sold only $10,800 in the average month during that period, when in reality the restaurant actually sold an average of $35,720 per month.

Information from: The Clarion-Ledger

Better than lottery – It’s cash money for fiscal receipts

Fiskale KuponNewly formed and partially recognised state of Kosovo, starting April 1st 2015 (no joke) has announced a monetary prizes to all citizens who bring their fiscal receipts to Tax Authority. This measure is also mandated by the law as an incentive and motivation for taking fiscal receipts. Rather than using lottery to draw winners, this young institution has decided to award everybody who is being compliant.

The formula states as follows:

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Telecom operators offer government compliant fiscal solutions

20th-jan-blogEvery month we can find one new jurisdiction who is challenged to combat shadow economy with the use of innovative tech tools. Some will say nothing new here, it’s been happening for over 30 years, and that is true. However in the past this technology was too robust and too complex to install without strong enforcement imposed on taxpayers who are required to meet compliance and obtain certified devices in accordance with whatever procedure has been set, usually involving few licensed suppliers. Modernization brought changes and made certified compliance mechanisms user friendly in a spirit of telecom operators who already have great market coverage.

Offerings are now becoming more appealing to a business model suitable for operator’s relationship with merchants. Here are few examples:

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Czech Republic’s new Electronic Receipt Evidence

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The Czech government submitted for comments a draft law on electronic registration of sales as new modern variant of cash registers.

The new obligation should touch up 600,000 merchants, restaurant operators, hoteliers, craftsmen and providers of other services.

The law should begin to apply January 2016 and will be introduced in phases.

Since January 2016, the electronic records should apply to companies that do business in catering and accommodation services. From April retail and wholesale companies will be included in the system. Since July, revenues should also report individuals who operate a restaurant, hotel or store…

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