The European Business Association (EBA) warned the Acting Deputy Head of the State Tax Service, Yevhen Sokur, about the inadmissibility of pressure on companies that did not join the "White Business Club" created by the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Tax and Customs Policy, Danylo Hetmantsev. This is stated in the EBA statement, writes UNN.
EBA representatives met with Sokur to discuss the details of the work of the "White Business Club". The tax official, who is referred to in the media as Hetmantsev's right-hand man in the State Tax Service, is currently responsible for forming such a list of selected companies.
Sokur informed the meeting that from December 9, companies will receive information in the electronic cabinet of the taxpayer about their inclusion in the list of companies in the high tax trust territory ("White Business Club"), as well as the criteria defined for the current period.
"For its part, the Association's experts expressed the hope that the tax service at all levels will demonstrate high ethical and professional standards in its attitude towards business. This is especially true for companies that, due to certain circumstances, did not fall into the high tax trust territory. The Association emphasized the inadmissibility of unjustified pressure on such companies", - says the statement of the EBA.
It is noted that Sokur emphasized that the main purpose of the announced changes is to increase the level of voluntary compliance with tax legislation. This is planned to be achieved through the identification and determination of priority risks of tax revenue loss and the implementation of measures aimed at minimizing them.
Hetmantsev's "White Business Club": Corruption, Discrimination and Control02.12.24, 17:35
The EBA stressed that it will monitor the introduction of new approaches in the work of the State Tax Service and inform the relevant authorities and the public about the results of this process.
Additionally
A criminal case is being investigated against Sokur for an official crime. This case was opened by the State Bureau of Investigation on November 4, 2022 under Part 3 of Article 365 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, for the fact of exceeding official powers by Sokur, who on October 26, 2022 signed an order to cancel the license of PJSC "Ukrtatnafta" for the production of fuel. According to the investigation, such actions of the official caused serious consequences to the company, as well as to the state in the form of the inability to fulfill the mobilization tasks of the Ministry of Defense for the production and supply of petroleum products for the needs of defense and the country's defense capability. The State Bureau of Investigation informed UNN that this criminal case is still under investigation.
In addition, the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption is monitoring the lifestyle of Yevhen Sokur. According to UNN, he entered possibly inaccurate data in his declaration for 2023. In particular, he did not indicate data about his cohabitant in the document. Earlier, Sokur, during the investigation of the case about the alleged attempt on him, himself told the law enforcement officers that he has been living together with a girl named Alina in an apartment on Lobanovskoho Avenue, 6-D since 2016. However, Sokur never mentioned his cohabitant in his declarations. After a deputy appeal by a member of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Tax and Customs Policy, Nina Yuzhanina, the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption started a review regarding Yevhen Sokur. In response to the UNN request, the Agency also confirmed that they are monitoring the official's lifestyle. The Head of the Public Council at the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption, Kateryna Butko, noted that the National Agency is checking whether Sokur had a common household with his cohabitant Alina.
Also, in 2022, he declared an income from the sale of securities in the amount of 2.6 million UAH, but these funds were not reflected in his declaration for 2023. This may indicate a violation of the law, which requires reporting significant changes in property status. According to Article 52 of the Law of Ukraine "On Prevention of Corruption", the declarant is obliged to notify about such changes within 10 days.
Recall
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted in general the scandalous bill of the Chairman of the Parliamentary Tax Committee, Danylo Hetmantsev, on the "White Business Club". The document was criticized by both Hetmantsev's colleagues in parliament and experts. Even the legal opinions indicated that it does not comply with the legislation of Ukraine. In addition, the creation of the "White Business Club" in Ukraine became the first anti-reform in a long time, according to UNN.
In the comments of UNN, economic experts pointed out that the document violates the Constitution of Ukraine and creates discriminatory conditions in the business environment.
The conclusion of the analysts of the Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs also states that Hetmantsev's bill contains discriminatory norms and has corruption risks.
Business Ombudsman Roman Vashchuk also stated that the bill on the "White Business Club" is discriminatory.