SPAIN: AEAT storms multiple sites to prevent organised tax evasion

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SPANISH Tax Agency (AEAT) has launched a crusade against zappers, which allow taxpayers to easily hide accounting records.

In December 2014, a special task force with AEAT technicians uncovered the complex fraudulent practices in a chain of Italian restaurants. 70 officials from 8 regional offices, along with police officers simultaneously stormed 15 sites where chain operated throughout Spain. Such organised action was necessary to prevent POS software operators to erase tax records and thus destroy tax evasion evidence.

The action uncovered a sophisticated system designed to fictitiously reduce revenue from restaurants through a software application that produces double set of books. The operation “Pasta Fresca” (Fresh Pasta) allowed AEAT to break into system matrix installed by the order of Italian franchise owned corporation. The name of the restaurants is not disclosed due to ongoing investigation.

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Romania: Upgrade to electronic journal and online tax lottery

Legisla646x404tion upgrade to Cash registers equipped with electronic journal which connects to a database of NAFA (Romanian Tax Agency), was approved December 2014 by the Government.

Ministry shows benefit of the new system (devices equipped with electronic journal) brings traders to eliminate paper rolls acquisition costs (average economy / year / unit in operation ≈ 150 euro) and their storage obligation for a 2 year period.

The Ministry has also announced its intention to establish an online tax lottery with cash prizes for holders of tax receipts. According to the ministry, monthly 160 prizes will be awarded for each NAFA region, with expected value of each prize 1,200 lei (350 USD).

New York: Congressman Grimm pleads guilty to tax evasion

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Associated press reports: U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm admitted Tuesday to federal tax evasion, pleading guilty to charges he had fought as he won re-election last fall but that now leave his congressional future in question.

Grimm entered a guilty plea to one count of aiding in the filing of a false tax return. He had been set to go to trial in February on charges of evading taxes by hiding more than $1 million in sales and wages while running a Manhattan health-food restaurant.

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Slovenia: DURS to enforce invoice control in real-time

DURSOn the 04/12/2014 meting, the Slovenian government adopted decision related to the amendment of measures against grey economy. One of the conclusions was to introduce from 1st September 2015 the “real cash registers”. Last year, Slovenian previous government, has implemented “virtual cash registers”. Every cash register owner should have a program that prevents the deletion or change of invoices. But taxpayers was given the option of choice whether to use cash register or manual invoices. Although the tax revenue is increased by “virtual cash register” implementation, it was observed that many taxpayers have replaced their cash registers with manual invoicing booklets!!

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Belgium: Black box installation to be completed in 2015

fiscal data module and VAT smart cardAll  taxpayers registered in hospitality sector in Belgium are obliged to register for the use of Certified Cash Register System, at their Tax Agency by February 28, 2014. The system will need to be installed at taxpayer’s premises before the end of 2015.

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