Source: Valor Econômico - São Paulo / SP - 21/10/2010

The Public Ministries and the State Finance Departments of 12 States and the Federal District launched yesterday a national operation to combat tax evasion. By the action, it was possible to identify fraud in companies of various branches of activity, whose value should reach about R $ 2 billion, according to the Public Ministry of the State of São Paulo (MP-SP)

In Rio de Janeiro alone, 59 complaints were filed against 90 people, for involvement in crimes against taxation and corruption, by the Coordination for Combating Tax Evasion (Coesf) of the Public Ministry of the State of Rio de Janeiro (MPRJ).

The total amount of the tax debt calculated in the State (including fine) is R $ 112,5 million. Three oil and fuel distribution companies jointly account for a tax debt of approximately R $ 101 million. The complaints were motivated by ICMS tax evasion.

The operation, coordinated by the National Group to Combat Criminal Organizations (GNCOC), consists of a national mobilization to combat tax evasion.

“This is the second consecutive year in which the National Group to Combat Criminal Organizations initiates this type of operation, which, in 2009, reached a significant figure of R $ 4 billion in resources that should have been collected from public coffers for the benefit of society, but that were unduly diverted for private gain, ”informed the Public Ministry in a note.