Millions for the Free State - but tax investigators' balance sheet significantly lower in 2023

Dresden. Saxony's tax investigators tracked down 77 million euros in evaded taxes last year - significantly less additional revenue went to the tax authorities compared to the two previous years. According to the Ministry of Finance, the figure was 112 million euros in 2022 and 88 million euros in the previous year. The additional tax income is subject to normal fluctuations, also due to the conclusion of outstanding individual cases after several years of investigations.

In 2023, the 111 investigators examined 975 cases and investigated a total of 721 administrative and legal assistance requests on behalf of other departments. As in the past, more than half of the tax losses uncovered - a good 48 million euros - related to VAT. In addition, there was just under 12 million euros in income tax, almost 5.4 million euros in trade tax and around 4.3 million euros in wage tax. Other taxes accounted for over 3.3 million euros and around 1.43 million euros in interest.

Highest sum secured in the Leipzig region

At over 41 million euros, most of the hidden taxes were tracked down in the Leipzig area, while in the Dresden area the investigators were able to retroactively secure 19.3 million euros for the state and 15.9 million euros in the Chemnitz area. According to the ministry, the "most significant" individual cases, at over one million euros each, were in sales and investment fraud and in the construction, catering, red light and real estate sectors.

The tax investigation department initiated 234 criminal proceedings, which are being conducted by public prosecutors' offices or the fines and criminal proceedings offices of the tax authorities. In the course of the investigations, courts imposed custodial sentences totaling 35 years as well as fines and penalties amounting to over 800,000 euros.

According to the ministry, the Saxon tax investigation department is well positioned and networked with other investigative authorities (European Public Prosecutor's Office, police and customs) in order to uncover more complex cases of tax fraud both nationally and internationally. IT forensic experts are particularly helpful in the area of white-collar crime. (dpa)