The StopViolationBot chatbot collects citizen complaints against entrepreneurs. How to avoid them?

The State Tax Service has an additional tool to control entrepreneurs. For three months in a row, the StopViolationBot chatbot has been working, which accepts appeals from citizens about violations of tax legislation by business entities. 

Since July, Ukrainians have been able to inform the tax service around the clock through the StopViolationBot chatbot about cases of violations of current tax legislation by entrepreneurs. As of November 14, 2022, the messenger received more than 200 complaints about:

• non-use of cash registers/payroll registers in trade and non-issuance of checks
• refusal to pay by bank card,
• overpricing of food products, medicines,
• failure to formalize labor relations with employees,
• carrying out economic activities without state registration.

Most of these reports concerned entrepreneurs carrying out activities without state registration, violations during the sale of goods on the Internet and lack of cashless payments.

It should be added that tax officials carefully analyze and verify the information from citizens that comes through the chatbot. If the facts of violations are confirmed, the STS takes response measures, such as tax audits.

On November 9, 2022, the tax authorities have already processed 120 complaints. Violators will be subject to penalties in the amount of more than UAH 2 million.

Taking into account the situation, business entities should conduct internal audits on compliance with the requirements of the current legislation, namely the provisions of the Tax Code of Ukraine. In particular, in order to avoid undesirable incidents with tax inspections, it is necessary to install the necessary trade equipment in the stores and comply with the basic rules of trade:

1. Install a fiscal registrar or cash register.

2. Order bank POS terminals for non-cash transactions - if it has not been done before.

3. Do not inflate prices for products subject to state regulation.

4. Hire employees who work permanently in the store.

5. Even if you have a small online store - you must be registered as an individual entrepreneur or a legal entity.

It is also advisable to instruct sellers on the rules for using payment equipment and compliance with tax legislation.

Important! According to the official channel of the Tax Service, from 2023, entrepreneurs who carry out economic activities in settlements with a population of more than 25 thousand people must provide the possibility of cashless payments when selling goods or providing services. Individuals - entrepreneurs - single tax payers of the 1st group, traders who use vending machines, carry out outdoor trade, sell their own grown or fattened products are exempt from this obligation.

It should be reminded that in its letter of explanation dated 7.11.2022, the State Tax Service explained that entrepreneurs will not be fined for non-use or violation of the use of cash registers / cash registers in their activities - from April 1, 2022 until the end of martial law.

But the issue of using cash registers for those who had to install it before January 1, 2022 is still relevant - in fact, no one has canceled the obligation to use cash registers.