In 2021, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine lifted the moratorium on tax audits, which kept them significantly limited in 2020. This means that businesses should prepare for the tax audits, the number of which is likely to increase.
Furthermore, there is increased attention to the taxation issues from the law enforcement authorities. Tax police, which is in the reorganization process into the Bureau of Economic Security, is one such interested body.
Participants had an opportunity to discuss the peculiarities of such audits and the related risks for businesses. In particular, they learned:
- First signs that a company is under interest for the audit
- Whether the tax audits in 2021 comply with the laws
- Non-admission to carrying out the tax audit and risks for business
- Financial and criminal consequences of tax audits
- Transfer pricing audits: which companies are under consideration
- New tax and criminal issues related to the audits
Speakers:
Sergiy Smirnov, Partner, Criminal Defense Practice, Sayenko Kharenko. Sergiy Smirnov specialises in domestic corporate, fraud and business crimes, internal investigations and litigation matters. He has a significant record of representing clients at all stages of criminal and litigation proceedings. These matters span various industries, including agricultural, banking, real estate and construction, insurance and other industries. His cutting-edge experience in complex cases with multiple claims and parties from different jurisdictions allows the firm to handle critical criminal issues, administrative and other disputes with public authorities and local government bodies.
Vitaliy Odzhykovskyy, Counsel, Tax Practice, Sayenko Kharenko. Vitalii Odzhykovskyi has vast experience across various international and domestic tax issues, tax litigation, customs law and currency regulation. Vitalii has a solid record of expertise advising multinationals and local companies at all stages of tax controversies during both out-of-court and court proceedings, including with the tax, customs and other state authorities. He offers expert advice to taxpayers in the process of tax audits and consideration of complaints and objections of taxpayers by the tax authorities. His specific areas of experience include sectors such as agricultural and FMCG.
Zlata Simonenko, Counsel, Criminal Defense Practice, Sayenko Kharenko. Zlata Symonenko specialises in the areas of criminal investigations and litigation. She is experienced in handling financial and corruption crime cases. Zlata represents clients through all aspects of criminal litigation and regulatory enforcement actions, from the initiation of a criminal case to court hearings, including investigative actions. She also has considerable experience in appeals to the European Court of Human Rights. In addition to her legal practice, Zlata is actively involved in legislative drafting. In particular, she took part in drafting the laws on the National Police, National Anticorruption Bureau, Financing of political parties and fighting against political corruption.
Kateryna Kolos, Senior Associate, Tax Practice, Sayenko Kharenko. Kateryna Kolos specialises in taxation and tax litigation, focusing on international transactions, trade and customs issues, and cash discipline, including all stages of tax disputes during both pre-court and court proceedings with the tax and customs authorities. She advises international and domestic clients on a broad spectrum of tax matters across sectors and industries, including agriculture, automotive, food, FMCG, telecommunications sectors.
Kateryna Utiralova, Senior Associate, Tax practice, Sayenko Kharenko. Kateryna extensively advises international and local clients on all aspects of tax and transfer pricing matters across sectors and industries. She focuses on providing advice on the following issues related to tax and transfer pricing control in Ukraine: risk assessment, determination of controlled transactions, elaboration of different approaches to justify the prices in controlled transactions (import/export transactions, payments under loan agreements, royalty payments, etc.) and preparation of transfer pricing documentations according to Ukrainian legislation.
