Tyrolean restaurateur escapes the tax case: paying 286,000 euros!

Tyrolean restaurateur escapes the tax case: paying 286,000 euros!

Leoben, Österreich - In Austria, tax fraudsters are increasingly in the field of vision of the authorities. This trend is particularly clear in a recently uncovered case of a catering driver from Tyrol, which has not specified its online sales over platforms for food and drinks. According to 5min.at has been transferred platform operators since January 2020. This includes the identity of the seller, bank details and the amount of sales. The aim of this regulation is to ensure proper taxation.

The investigation showed that the affected person had not reported 40-year-old entrepreneurs from Tyrol in the amount of 230,000 euros. The tax office identified these irregularities through the transmitted data. Before the start of the audit, the entrepreneur made a voluntary disclosure. Due to the financial criminal law provisions, around 286,000 euros must now be paid, including default surcharges and interest.

The importance of tax transparency

Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer noted that tax fraud harms the community and endangered the tax morality. This case underpins the need for transparent and stricter regulations to counter unfair practices.

Not only in the catering sector there are significant problems with tax fraud. The authorities are currently also investigating a suspected criminal association that is said to have committed a VAT fraud of 195 million euros through the sale of smartphones, small electronic devices and protective masks. According to bmf.gv.at , 130 searches were carried out and 14 people were arrested. The Austrian tax investigation was also involved in these investigations.

A total of around 680 investigators were active. In Austria, supported by 55 emergency services, seven searches were carried out. A total of around 200,000 euros found around 200,000 euros in cash as well as numerous smartphones and valuables. These determined suspects have presumably set up a network of mailbox companies in order not to fulfill their tax obligations and to take advantage of the Corona pandemic to make profits on the market for protective masks.

international cooperation against tax fraud

Finance Minister Magnus Brunner emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in combating tax fraud. The recent measures show that the authorities are ready and able to act against criminal structures that endanger the tax base of our country.

These incidents illustrate how important it is that entrepreneurs and the self -employed take their legal obligations seriously. The case of the Tyrolean restaurateur is an example of not closing your eyes to the tax authorities, because the consequences can quickly bring the operation into serious difficulties. In this regard, Austria is faced with a major challenge that you have to encounter with a combination of transparency, education and consistent law enforcement.