Austria’s Tax Investigation Department Scores Big Win in Crackdown on Tax Evasion
€48.46 Million in Back Taxes Paid by Perpetrators as Investigations Close
In a significant victory for Austria’s tax authorities, the Tax Investigation Department has announced the closure of 210 cases related to tax evasion, resulting in a staggering €48.46 million in back taxes paid by perpetrators. The department, led by 186 dedicated officers, also imposed penalties totaling up to €100 million.
Investigations Uncover Widespread Tax Evasion Tactics
The investigations targeted various sectors, including:
- Construction industry
- National and international VAT fraud schemes
- Transport sector
These operations uncovered a range of tax evasion tactics, such as:
- Undeclared invoices
- Unrecorded working hours
Finance Minister Magnus Brunner praised the department’s efforts, highlighting the importance of protecting honest taxpayers and promoting fair competition.
Operations Involved Extensive Search and Audit Efforts
The investigations involved:
- 157 house searches
- 255 account openings
- Four arrests
- Tax audits and special VAT audits yielding an additional €14.72 million
- Advanced IT searches amassing a massive data volume of 65.66 terabytes for analysis
Collaborative Efforts Key to Success
Alfred Hacker, Chairman of the Anti-Fraud Office, emphasized the challenges posed by digitalization and internationalization, stressing the need for adaptive investigative methods and enhanced international cooperation.
Christian Ackerler, Head of Tax Investigation, underscored the complexity of the fraud cases uncovered, which spanned multiple industries and tactics. He noted that collaborative efforts with judicial authorities and state institutions were instrumental in the department’s success.
Crackdown Seen as Major Victory for Austria’s Tax Authorities
The crackdown is seen as a major victory for Austria’s tax authorities, demonstrating their commitment to combating tax evasion and protecting the interests of honest taxpayers.