The State Control Committee, together with tax authorities, revealed that one of the largest importers and wholesale sellers of tulips in Belarus concealed millions in income from taxation. This refers to a peasant farm in the Brest region, the name of which is not disclosed.
Illustrative photo. Photo: Nasha Niva
It is reported that in addition to growing agricultural products, the farm also engaged in growing and selling tulip bulbs and benefited from a preferential tax regime for agricultural producers, under which the tax was 1% of gross revenue.
To receive this benefit, the share of income from their own agricultural products had to be at least half. However, by 2022, the profit from selling tulips became greater than from selling vegetables and fruits.
To maintain the preferential regime, the head of the farm, together with his deputy, who was also a business owner, created a controlled company and artificially redistributed a portion of the revenue from tulip sales to it. Formally, their driver was listed as the head of this firm.
As a result of these actions, the budget underreceived more than 1.3 million rubles in taxes for 2022-2025. The audit also revealed significant concealment of revenue: products were often sold for cash, and the amounts in documents were understated by more than twenty times. According to rough notes, over 10 million rubles were hidden from taxes in the last two years alone.
Additionally, facts of tax fraud were uncovered. Fictitious documents were submitted to tax authorities regarding the alleged sale of tulips to a controlled firm at an understated price, followed by export to Russia. On this basis, over 950 thousand rubles in VAT were refunded to them from the budget. The quantity and cost of bulbs sold to individuals were also understated.
Criminal cases have been initiated against the suspects. Their property, including four apartments and ten cars, was seized. During searches, 440 thousand euros and 89 thousand dollars were also confiscated. The suspects reportedly admitted their guilt.
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