The Revenues Administration (GİB) has started its investigation by first working to detect companies or individuals who issue counterfeit invoices in İstanbul and then enlisting the people who had obtained invoices from these people or institutions to help ferret out other fraudsters.
The GİB has started to audit the accounts of those people determined to be involved in issuing false invoices, whether directly or indirectly, in an attempt to determine the amount of taxes withheld. In order to prevent any fraudulently withheld taxes from escaping past the statute of limitations, the GİB has started its investigations from 2004 accounting records. After the records checks are completed, charges will be filed for false invoice issuers and the people who used these invoices.
Because crimes of this nature cannot be settled out of court, any fine levied will be trebled to account for the loss of tax revenues. If tax evasion is detected, those involved may face jail time in addition to fines.
GİB officials noted that the investigation, which is being carried out only in İstanbul for now, will expand to the rest of Turkey in the near future. In addition to the Finance Ministry, officials from the financial crimes department of the National Police Department also work to detect those who issue false invoices through front companies.
