In the town of Gibara, located in Holguín province, authorities have apprehended a man who allegedly scammed more than 70 individuals by posing as a representative of the National Office of Tax Administration (ONAT). This deceit was uncovered through a report by the pro-government Facebook page, Cazador-Cazado.
The perpetrator, identified as Antonio Diéguez, operated by visiting private businesses in the area, pretending to be an authorized tax collector. He collected money from taxpayers who believed they were fulfilling their tax obligations to the state institution. Some victims reportedly even made payments through electronic platforms.
The fraud came to light when taxpayers began receiving debt notifications from the ONAT, revealing that their supposed payments had not been recorded. Diéguez, known locally as "El Tony," was described by neighbors as "cunning" and "sly."
The Cazador-Cazado report did not disclose the total amount swindled or whether the funds were fully recovered. However, it confirmed that Diéguez is facing criminal charges for impersonating a public official, a crime under Cuban law. Authorities often remind citizens to verify the identity of collection agents and use official channels to avoid similar scams.
Increasing Tax Evasion Challenges for ONAT
The ONAT is already grappling with a growing number of clients failing to meet their tax responsibilities. In the first four months of 2024 alone, the agency uncovered tax evasion exceeding 800 million pesos. Notable irregularities include outdated, manipulated, or altered books and records, unsubstantiated account cancellations, and failure to declare hired labor.
Occasionally, opportunists like Antonio Diéguez add to ONAT's challenges. In mid-July, the Cuban government introduced the "preventive embargo" as an additional measure to ensure tax compliance. This initiative addresses tax evasion, a significant concern lately.
Government Measures to Tackle Tax Evasion
During a session of the Economic Affairs Commission of the National Assembly of People's Power (ANPP), Vladimir Regueiro Ale, the Minister of Finance and Prices, proposed policies to strengthen the Tax System. These include expanding the scope of the preventive embargo for debt collection, refining responsibilities for income tax withholders, and establishing a minimum amount for processing undue or excessive income refunds.
The regime has previously acted against tax evaders. In 2022, it restricted foreign travel for those with substantial tax debts until they settle their dues. This was enforced through an agreement between ONAT and the Directorate of Identification, Immigration, and Foreigners (DIIE) of the Ministry of the Interior, supported by Law No.113 of the Tax System.