Tax authority: We saw Panama Papers

On May 9, an international group of journalists published a database compiled on the basis of the so-called "Panama Papers" - tens of thousands of documents of the Panamanian company "Mossack Fonseca", which for many decades had been engaged in the registration of companies in offshore zones.

The published database does not have the documents - it only lists the names of the owners of offshore companies and the names of the associated companies. In the list there are citizens of Belarus (about a hundred) and Belarusian companies.

Euroradio has asked the Ministry of Taxes and Levies if they are going to check our citizens that appear in the published database. The press service of Ministry said that they had reviewdd the database, but cannot yet say, if they would use the information from there:

"The tax authorities carry out checks based on the information received by them, and not on the basis of the information obtained from the Internet and so on. Audit planning is conducted in accordance with the plan. we have seen this list... ("Panama Papers"- Euroradio). Tax authorities will use any information they have received, it is used for the control measures. I cannot say if this information will be used," said the press service of the Ministry.

According to the Belarusian legislation, ownership of companies in offshore zones (as well as any foreign companies) is not a violation. However, to open such a company, citizens of Belarus are to have a resolution of the National Bank.