VIDEO | Large-scale tax evasion in the taxi market in the Republic of Moldova. Victoria Belous: Up to 40% of the sector would operate "in the black", and the Tax Office has calculated over 170 million lei in taxes and sanctions

The taxi services market in the Republic of Moldova generates annual revenues of over one billion lei, but a considerable part of the activity would remain outside the tax records. According to the Minister of Finance, Victoria Belous, the share of the shadow economy in this sector is estimated at 30-40%. Following 47 inspections carried out in 2024-2025, the State Tax Service calculated an additional over 170 million lei in the form of taxes, penalties and sanctions. However, only a small part of the established tax obligations was paid, and some companies ended up being targeted by criminal cases, forced execution measures and insolvency procedures. The statements were made by the Minister of Finance during the "Cutia Neagră" show on TV8.

Victoria Belous presented the market size and the authorities' estimates regarding undeclared economic activity.

"7 million rides, revenues of over a billion lei, of which. According to us, the shadow sector in this field is about between 30 and 40%", said Victoria Belous.

The minister also provided data on the controls carried out by the State Tax Service in the last two years.

"Let me give you the numbers in millions. During 2024-2025, the tax authorities conducted over 40 inspections, or rather, 47 inspections, at companies. In these two years alone, they calculated additional taxes, only taxes - 82 million lei. They applied penalties and sanctions. Penalties of 51 million and sanctions of about 38 million lei," the official explained.

According to the minister, some of the targeted companies ended up facing forced execution measures and criminal cases.

"Some of them no longer work, because when they have arrears, the corporate tax and enforcement measures, we have over 40 companies that have criminal cases, have defendant status, have criminal files. Some of the people are even declared insolvent by the tax authorities. Some have their accounts, all their assets, seized", the minister emphasized.

In Victoria Belous's opinion, the problem of tax evasion remains serious, despite the controls and sanctions applied.

"Their situation is not exactly rosy and they are staying calm. But, unfortunately, we find that this sector has a very high degree of evasion", Victoria Belous pointed out.