VID to publish information on decisions adopted by the Service that are significant to the public

To ensure the public’s right to information on the most significant violations by legal persons of regulatory enactments in the field of taxation and customs, and to promote fair competition among taxpayers and the voluntary fulfilment of tax (duty) obligations, the State Revenue Service (SRS) will publish information on decisions adopted by the SRS that are significant to the public.

On 6 July 2021, the Saeima adopted the law “Amendments to the Law ‘On Taxes and Duties’”, which provides that, following its entry into force, from 5 August this year the SRS will have the right to publish information on decisions adopted by the SRS that are significant to the public.

SRS Director General Ieva Jaunzeme emphasises that this may bring about a significant turning point in improving the honest payment of taxes, since the public will finally have the right to know what decisions the SRS has adopted. “For many years, the tax administrator has been prohibited from disclosing any information about a taxpayer, without the taxpayer’s consent, that became known to the administrator in the performance of official duties. This situation has given the green light to various speculations, misconceptions and double standards towards taxpayers. Now the public will have the right to learn this information, and this will contribute to reducing the shadow economy. The SRS initiated amendments to the relevant provisions of the law more than two years ago, and I am pleased with this result,” said I. Jaunzeme.

Following the entry into force of the aforementioned law, the SRS will publish information on the following types of decisions adopted by the SRS in respect of legal persons:

a) decisions on the results of a tax inspection (audit);

b) decisions on the results of a data compliance check;

c) decisions specifying the amount of tax pursuant to Sections 5.2 and 5.3 of Article 23 of the Law “On Taxes and Duties”;

d) decisions establishing a customs duty debt;

e) decisions refusing a refund of overpaid value added tax.

The information will be available on the SRS website. The publication is to include the following information on the decision adopted by the SRS: the name and registration number of the legal person, the date on which the adopted decision enters into force, the substance and operative part of the adopted decision, as well as information on whether the decision has been appealed in court. Information on the decision will be published within seven working days after the relevant decision has become final or has been appealed in court and its operation has not been suspended. Information on the decision will be available until the decision is revoked, but for no longer than three years after its publication.

Author:

Ministry of Finance

fm.gov.lv