The Finance Ministry will launch a strict country-wide audit to tackle smuggled cigarettes and alcoholic beverages, which is predicted to increase after recent rises in the private consumption tax (ÖTV) on these products.

According to information from the Anatolia news agency gathered from anonymous sources in the Revenues Administration (GİB), tax auditors will focus more on alcoholic beverages and tobacco products this year to fight smuggling. To achieve this goal a new directorate, named the Contraband Products Tracking Directorate will be established and special auditing teams will be created.

The sources said that the ÖTV collected on alcoholic beverages and tobacco products is expected to amount to $2.17 billion and $16.42 billion this year, respectively. Last year 11,156 officers were involved in investigating alcoholic beverages and tobacco products, during which criminal complaints were filed against 717 taxpayers out of a total 197,544 that were subjected to audits. The taxpayers that were found guilty were fined a total of $4.63 million.

source: todayszaman.com

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