Just when you thought summer was all about chilling and soaking up the sun, the tax inspectors in Montenegro decided to crash the party! Between May and July, during the peak tourist season, they slapped fines totaling over ONE MILLION EUROS. Yes, you read that right — over a MILLION! While the economy should be booming, the tax authorities are cracking down hard on fiscal discipline.
The Tax Administration ramped up inspections especially in coastal municipalities and tourist hotspots. They uncovered a boatload of irregularities, issuing fines that crossed the million-euro mark. But here’s the kicker — only 59% of those fines have been collected so far. That means a big chunk of cash is still floating somewhere out there, or maybe tucked away in the pockets of rule-breakers.
Here’s a twist: taxpayers who paid their fines within eight days got a one-third discount, as the law allows. But for the less obedient, the tax office didn’t just stop at fines — they banned nine taxpayers from operating their businesses! That’s a serious warning to anyone thinking they can dodge the rules.
The Tax Administration is calling on everyone to play by the book: report your income properly and issue fiscal receipts. They’re also urging citizens to report any shady business through their call center or the “Be Responsible” platform. So, if you thought you could get away with it, think again — the tax inspectors are watching and they mean business.
This whole saga shines a harsh light on Montenegro’s shadow economy, which keeps thriving despite the government’s efforts to squash it. Is a million euros in fines enough to change the game? Or will taxpayers keep playing cat and mouse with the inspectors? One thing’s for sure — summer 2024 won’t be remembered for leniency in tax discipline.
Got a juicy story or run-in with the tax office? Drop it in the comments. Who knows, maybe we’ll find out who’s next on the fine list!
