Tax Administration of FBiH: We cannot spare anyone, accounts of non-payers will be blocked on Wednesday

The Tax Administration of FBiH has stated that they are aware of the potential negative consequences for the businesses whose accounts will be blocked tomorrow, but the Tax Administration's task is to accurately determine and collect tax liabilities and to strictly adhere to the laws of the Federation of BiH.

- The Administration has no right or possibility to selectively apply the current regulations, to treat taxpayers unequally, or to tolerate non-payment of tax liabilities by taxpayers – they told Patria from the Tax Administration of FBiH.

The Tax Administration of FBiH will tomorrow block the accounts of JP Željeznice Federacije BiH, KJKP Gras, Hidrogradnja, Zrak, Pretisa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Student Center Sarajevo, KJKP Park... These public companies, as well as several others, owe more than 415 million KM in public revenues and taxes. Gras alone owes about 116 million KM.

- Blocking of accounts means issuing a decision on the suspension of transactions through the taxpayer's account opened with an authorized payment transaction organization, which restricts the taxpayer's right to dispose of funds that are or enter their account, except for transactions aimed at paying tax liabilities – explained the Tax Administration.

The Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton, Elmedin Konaković, said today that he sent a letter to the Government of FBiH and the Tax Administration requesting that the Tax Administration not block Gras's accounts, as Sarajevo would be left without public transport, but that he could not do more than that.

- Now everything is up to the Government of FBiH and the Tax Administration – said Konaković.

The Tax Administration claims that they cannot block the accounts of some companies and forgive the debts of others.

- We cannot ask taxpayers to respect the laws and fulfill their tax obligations, while at the same time not applying the current laws ourselves – the Tax Administration is categorical. They further remind that the Criminal Code of FBiH stipulates that diverting funds for purposes other than timely payment of tax liabilities is a criminal offense, punishable by imprisonment of up to three years.