Armenian lawmakers decriminalize smuggling
16.05.2016,
17:22
Armenia’s National Assembly decriminalized smuggling on Monday by passing at the final reading amendments to the law on taxes and related laws.
YEREVAN, May 16. /ARKA/. Armenia’s National Assembly decriminalized smuggling on Monday by passing at the final reading amendments to the law on taxes and related laws.
Vakhtang Mirumyan, deputy chairman of the Armenian State Revenue Committee, the amendment of the laws have been prompted by Armenia’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union and the commitments it assumed as joined the union.
The decriminalization of smuggling means that economic entities no longer will bear criminal responsibility for importing commodities with breaching customs norms.
He said that now they can choose between being prosecuted for fraudulent tax evasion and paying taxes, duties and fines. If they compensate the damage inflicted to the budget, the matter will be considered settled.
«It means economic entities were criminally responsible for retarded formalization of customs papers as smugglers before, while now their punishment can be limited to fines, if they make necessary payments,» Mirumyan said.
He also said that decriminalization doesn't apply to smuggling of prohibited products, such as drugs, guns, armament and cash.
Illegal use of distrained property worth no more than AMD 500,000 will be decriminalized as well.
Mirumyan said that before the amendment, were prosecuted as criminals, while now they are allowed to pay a fine equal to 100 minimum salaries.
He said that this applies to minor, not gross offenses. ($1 – AMD 479.34). --0---
Vakhtang Mirumyan, deputy chairman of the Armenian State Revenue Committee, the amendment of the laws have been prompted by Armenia’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union and the commitments it assumed as joined the union.
The decriminalization of smuggling means that economic entities no longer will bear criminal responsibility for importing commodities with breaching customs norms.
He said that now they can choose between being prosecuted for fraudulent tax evasion and paying taxes, duties and fines. If they compensate the damage inflicted to the budget, the matter will be considered settled.
«It means economic entities were criminally responsible for retarded formalization of customs papers as smugglers before, while now their punishment can be limited to fines, if they make necessary payments,» Mirumyan said.
He also said that decriminalization doesn't apply to smuggling of prohibited products, such as drugs, guns, armament and cash.
Illegal use of distrained property worth no more than AMD 500,000 will be decriminalized as well.
Mirumyan said that before the amendment, were prosecuted as criminals, while now they are allowed to pay a fine equal to 100 minimum salaries.
He said that this applies to minor, not gross offenses. ($1 – AMD 479.34). --0---
