Several establishments in Centro Habana were closed this Monday for refusing to accept payments via electronic transfers, as part of a new crackdown by the regime against businesses that violate its tax regulations.
"Action is still being taken in the capital against illegalities and indiscipline," affirmed the National Office of Tax Administration (ONAT) of Havana while reporting on the closures.
The institution did not specify how many establishments were closed, their names, locations, or the duration of the sanctions.
He only indicated, in a threatening manner, that the measure was carried out by the municipal office of the ONAT in Centro Habana, in the Cuban capital.
According to the state entity, the deliberate refusal to accept transfers constitutes a presumed offense of tax evasion, violates current tax regulations, and affects consumers' right to choose how they wish to make their payments.
Complying is protecting your business, ONAT warned at the end of its publication, in a message directed to private workers in the capital.
The offensive had left another closure the previous Friday, when the ONAT announced the closure of an establishment located on Neptuno Street, between Aramburu and Soledad, in Centro Habana.
Authorities assured that this business did not have the required documentation and refused to accept electronic transfers as a means of payment, thus violating the consumer's right, "which is to decide how to make their payment."
The ONAT, once again in a threatening tone, stated that the closure was carried out in accordance with the current tax regulations and ended its message with another warning: “Complying with the law, respecting the consumer, and keeping documentation in order is ensuring business continuity.”
However, this was a forewarned war as the measures came after the Government of Havana threatened private businesses on Thursday with fines, confiscations, forced sales, and closures of up to three months amid an inspection campaign.
Additionally, the pressure is not limited to the Cuban capital. In Bayamo, five other businesses were closed last week for not accepting transfers and are now subject to monitoring by the ONAT, as part of a nationwide campaign to enforce electronic payments.
The campaign progresses despite connection issues and the difficulties reported by merchants who need cash to sustain their operations, as many suppliers also do not accept transfers.
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