Tax Department finds 60% of coastal businesses violating laws amid intensified checks
The Tax Department's recent inspections in coastal areas popular with summer tourists revealed that 60% of the checked businesses were breaking the law, primarily by failing to issue receipts and refusing credit card payments. The focused investigations targeted sea sports and boat trip operators, souvenir shops, and catering venues in Paphos, Ayia Napa, Protaras, and Larnaca, with over 100 surprise checks conducted during peak tourist traffic.
Officers issued warning letters to non-compliant businesses, giving them deadlines to rectify violations before premises are sealed. Many businesses swiftly complied after initial warnings. In the coming weeks, the department will escalate measures by sealing premises of businesses with tax debts exceeding 20,000 euros, based on a list of 500 big debtors owing over 1 million euros.
From January 2027, sealing will also target failures to submit tax and VAT returns. Authorities have given taxpayers a year to settle obligations, signaling intensified efforts to combat tax evasion and improve compliance across Cyprus's tourism-dependent sectors.
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