Get the Receipt to Win: Realization and effects
Within the second cycle of the prize game „Get the Receipt to Win“, generating a record with the engagement of 41% citizens and 11 million envelopes, there was also a notable change in the citizens’ views on shadow economy, observed in terms of strengthened tax discipline, improved tax collection and increased use of payment cards.
Bearing in mind that one in two citizens now ask for a receipt, as they are aware it is the legal obligation of stores, and a confirmation of taxes paid, he prize game has directly influenced the positive change in citizens perspectives about the shadow economy, and encouraged the Government to strengthen the implementation of measures from the National program – it was estimated by the ministers of the Government of Serbia within the conference “The first halftime of the Year of Countering Shadow Economy“.
The President of the Government’s Coordination body for countering shadow economy and the Minister of Agriculture Branislav Nedimović said that, along with the prize game, the first half of 2018 included the adoption of a series of important measures from the National program, such as the development of the Draft Law on Fees, significant increase of fines for non-issuing fiscal receipts, prepared inventory of 2,500 procedures for the purpose of cutting the red tape, the initiated work of special prosecution departments for countering organized crime, corruption and terrorism.
- Most significant progress has been made with the adoption of the Law on simplified employment of seasonal workers, aimed at countering informal employment. The second half of 2018 will bring the implementation of tax exemption for start-ups, the beginning of the pilot phase of the e-Inspector system, along with the planned reform of lump-sum taxation system and the fiscalization system – said Nedimović thanking the citizens for major participation in the prize game, and the businesses gathered in the Fair Competition Alliance and NALED for the support in its organization.
Representing the Fair Competition Alliance, the Director of Mastercard for Serbia, Montenegro and BiH Jelena Ristić said that businesses support the strategic approach to countering shadow economy, which is why the Alliance together with other socially responsible companies supported the two cycles of the prize game and the educational campaign with more than half a million euros, while also providing expertise and experience to help develop a quality National program.
- It is encouraging to see that both businesses and citizens recognize the importance of transparent financial operations, and the improved awareness can certainly be associated with the educational elements of the prize game “Get the Receipt to Win”. In the first quarter of 2018, when the prize game was realized, there was a 18.82% increase in the number of card payments and a 14.38% in their value, so we would like to see new public-private partnerships and efficient implementation of the National program, so as to continue strong efforts against shadow economy - said Ristić.
The Minister of Labor, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs Zoran Đorđević presented the report on the prize game realization, indicating that the citizens sent 10.7 million envelopes. The prize fund included 291 prizes, with their total value being 257 million dinars.
- During the prize game, the citizens showed higher willingness to indicate the cases of illegal activities. The Tax alarm data show that, over the period from January to April 2018, the citizens filed 13% more reports than during the same period last year, and even 55% more compared to 2016. There was a total of 3,172 media releases about the prize game over the first five months in 2018 – said Đorđević, adding that the Tax Administration data show there was a 8.4% increase in tax collection in the first five months.
The Minister of Public Administration and Local Government Branko Ružić particularly reflected on the competition among cities and municipalities within the prize game, stressing that the citizens of Bela Palanka, Blace, Dimitrovgrad, Kikinda, Kula, Medijana, Savski venac, Vranje and Vrbas demonstrated responsible behavior, thus helping their local communities in winning a prize fund of 23,000 EUR each, to invest in projects of public significance.
- The citizens voted and decided to allocate most of the money to the youngest. Vranje and Blace will equip elementary schools, while Bela Palanka, Vrbas and Savski venac will use the funds to equip kindergartens, a sensory room for children with disabilities and a children’s playground. In Kula and Medijana, the funds will be invested in equipment for emergency room and health care center, Kikinda will purchase a vehicle for the beneficiaries of Social Care Center, while Dimitrovgrad will redesign the plateau in front of the Cultural center – said Ružić.
The survey performed in May for NALED by IPSOS, on a sample including 1,025 respondents, showed that 70% of citizens find that shadow economy is not justified and 90% support its countering. A third of the citizens stressed that the prize game motivated them to take fiscal receipts for each purchase, while another 13% stressed a higher motivation to make card payments. 42 of the respondents would participate in a new cycle if organized.
Even 93% of citizens indicate that they always or often receive some type of receipts for purchase, while improved tax culture is also testified by the fact that 48% of respondents ask for a receipt if they do not receive it (a 40% increase compared to 2017). Additionally, 26% citizens would report a facility which does not issue a fiscal receipt (a 22% increase compared to last year).
