"Spongers" May Be Banned to Driving

Belarusian taken as "spongers" and failed to pay the tax may be banned to go abroad and drive a car.

Monday, February 20, was the last day to pay the tax on "parasitism". There are only 51.6 thousand of 470 thousand who paid the tax. Many of these 418.4 thousand proved their right not to pay the tax or their hard circumstances, nevertheless, figures are still impressive, kp.by writes.

What will happen to those who failed with the payment? First, every day of delay requires penalty of 0.05% of the sum. If you owe to the state 360 rubles, then every day you should add other 18 kopecks. Second, the decree on "parasitism" provides for penalty for failure to pay the tax: either fine 2-4 basic units (46-92 rubles) or administrative arrest up to 15 days with a mandatory community services.

The Ministry for Taxes and Duties starts to draw up protocols on non-payers and take them to court. It will decide on a penalty.

- As a rule, in case of an administrative punishment a lot of factors will be taken into account. Personal characteristics, circumstances of an administrative offence, administrative sanctions (for example, a fine for speeding). In this case, it's hard to say what kind of penalty is applicable due to lack of practice in applying the law. If there have been violations he will likely be fined, Dzmitry Ivanouski, lawyer of the legal consultation office of the Kastrychnitski region of Minsk, comments.

- Can the penalty be changed, if a person has no money to pay the fine?

- The penalty assigned by the court cannot be changed. If the fine is not paid, enforcement proceeding is initiated. Different measures may be applied. For example, deductions from wages, if a person works, confiscation of property to pay the debt, a ban on travel abroad, a ban to drive.

The decree says that if a "sponger" served an administrative arrest with forced labour, the debt is deemed to be paid. But if there is a fine, a person will have to pay both the fine and the tax.

The Ministry for Taxes and Duties informs that notices to pay the tax for 2015 may be received after February 20. In this case, there is a month to pay the tax, otherwise, the same measures will be taken.

It will be recalled that on the evening of February 17 there was the March of Angry Belarusians with participation of several thousand people in Minsk. The March has become the largest one since the Square - 2010.