Drastic increase in regulations on VAT fraud

The Ministry of Justice has proposed an increase of maximum jail time for fiscal fraud up to 25 years, and a increase in fine amounts to as much as PLN 74 million for VAT defraudation. Every year the treasury loses dozens of billions in tax felonies, some experts say about PLN 50 billion, which could itself finance the "500+" program twice over. Invoice falsification will be penalized with from six months to 25 years imprisonment. The highest penalties will be reserved to those who counterfeit invoices to the amount of more than PLN 5 million. A change in taxation law is an "absolute necessity," says prof. Witold Modzelewski, "this change is a good extension of tools at the tax authorities disposal," he added.