Prison sentences were imposed on two citizens of Santa Clara, Cuba, for tax evasion. The amount defrauded exceeded six million Cuban pesos. The sentences They were published on the Facebook profile of the National Tax Administration Office (ONAT) of the aforementioned municipality.
The ONAT did not reveal the identities of both defendants, nor the activity they carry out. However, it did transpire that one of them was sent to three years behind bars for defrauding $4,978,429.71 CUP.
Meanwhile, the other person guilty of tax evasion must serve four years in prison for evading the payment of $1,110,534.51 CUP. As if that were not enough, the latter is obliged to “repair” the material damage caused through a payment of $1,000,270.64 CUP.
The ONAT in Santa Clara also announced that from January to October of this year, six complaints were filed with the Municipal Prosecutor’s Office. Several citizens were accused of tax evasion.
The amount defrauded amounted to $11,011,959.08 CUP. In all cases, those involved in crimes of this type have already been prosecuted and punished in accordance with established law.
Traveling with debt is prohibited
A year ago, Cuba restricted the exit of the country to people who had significant debts with the ONAT. The tax authorities prohibit leaving the Island until debts with the State are settled.
To meet this objective, ONAT signed an agreement with the Directorate of Identification, Immigration and Foreigners (DIIE) of the Ministry of the Interior. Each step carried out in this sense is protected by Law No.113 of the Tax System.
The rule empowers the ONAT to impose sanctions on taxpayers who do not comply with the payment of their taxes.
This includes everything from surcharges and fines, to other non-pecuniary ones such as the seizure of bank accounts, the closure of establishments and the withdrawal of tax incentives.
A clear example of Cuba’s actions against those who commit tax evasion was what happened last October. The government prevented a taxpayer from Sancti Spíritus who owed nine million pesos in taxes from leaving the country.
