Union of the Federal Tax Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs
According to this RBCAs early as March 23, the central office of the Federal Tax Service sent a letter to regional authorities with instructions to organize interaction with the police to identify violations related to the buying and selling of foreign currency, bypassing the banks. As the document states, “under current conditions” the sale of currency “threatens the stability of the currency of the Russian Federation and the stability of the domestic foreign exchange market.”
“Recently, cases of illegal buying and selling of foreign currency have spread, in connection with which tax authorities were instructed to pay special attention to the identification of such violations, taking into account the existing capabilities of the internal affairs bodies,” RBC said. Service of the Federal Tax Service.
The ministry added that the service is constantly monitoring such operations, including in partnership with internal affairs bodies.
In early March, the Federal Tax Service announced it was suspending currency compliance audits “to reduce the administrative burden on organizations and citizens,” but the agency’s new mandate states that currency speculation by individuals is not subject to a moratorium on audits. . That is, checks for violations of currency legislation related to buying and selling money bypassing authorized banks should be carried out as usual.
The article states that the authority of the Federal Tax Service includes control over compliance with currency legislation, but the authority of the department does not cover the implementation of operational measures. Therefore, the leadership of the service instructed the regional bodies to cooperate with the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
In 2010, an agreement was signed between the departments, providing for this type of joint work. According to the agreement, cooperation between tax authorities and law enforcement also aims to “detect and suppress the illegal activities of tax-evading institutions and individuals, including those doing illegal business.”
Restriction on printing foreign currency
March 9 on the website of the Central Bank of Russia appeared A message that changes the procedure for removing funds from foreign currency deposits or citizens’ accounts until September 9, 2022.
“All client funds in foreign currency accounts or deposits are recorded and accounted for in the currency of the deposit, the client can withdraw cash up to 10 thousand USD, and the rest of the funds in rubles at the market rate. course In the statement made by the Central Bank, it was said “on the day of issuance”.
It was also noted that about 90% of foreign currency accounts in Russian banks do not exceed 10 thousand USD, “that is, 90% of foreign currency deposits or account holders can receive their funds in full in cash.”
“For the duration of this temporary order, the currency will be issued in US dollars, regardless of the currency of the account. Conversion of other currencies to USD will be at the market rate at the date of issue. It will be possible to receive the currency from the bank’s cashier, ”said the official.
At the same time, citizens “can continue to hold funds in foreign currency deposits or accounts.” All their money is “accumulated and accounted for in the currency in which the account or deposit was opened” and the deposit or account conditions do not change. In addition, the interest on the deposit will be calculated as usual in the currency in which the deposit was opened.
“Citizens will be able to open new foreign currency accounts and deposits, but while the temporary procedure for transactions with cash is in force, it will be possible to withdraw money from them in rubles at the market rate on the day of issue. Banks will not sell cash to citizens during the temporary order. It will be possible at any time and in any amount to exchange cash for the ruble, ”the Central Bank said.
The special regime was introduced a week after the EU banned the import of euro cash into Russia and a few days before a similar US ban on dollar imports into Russia.
The Federal Tax Service noted that the sharp increase in the official rates of major currencies, as well as restrictions on the sale of foreign currency, led to a significant increase in the number of cases of currency exchange, bypassing authorized banks. .
The Federal Tax Service reminded that the sale of foreign currency by hand bypassing authorized banks is an administrative offense, the responsibility of which is prescribed by the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation.
As RIA Novosti was informed in the department, the penalty for this for citizens, entrepreneurs and legal entities can range from 75% to 100% of the amount of such an exchange. And for officials – from 20 thousand to 30 thousand rubles.
Speculators on Telegram
socialbites.ca found many channels in Telegram where you can buy currency “on hand”. All you need is to go there, find your city, open dialogs where private people post their offers. Those who want to buy foreign currency can also post their ads there.
“Buying and selling. The best rates for your money! Moscow and 40 other cities of Russia! Invite your friends and partners”, this is how the channel managers attract citizens.
It is often exchanged in dialogs. For example, on March 25, a community member announced his readiness to sell 8,000 euros at a rate of 110 rubles. The potential buyer reports that he is ready to buy this currency for 105 rubles.
On Wednesday, April 6, St. Petersburg offered to buy from him 5 thousand euros, he was offered to sell it to him for 95 rubles. And his compatriot Yevgeny is ready to give a thousand dollars for 102 rubles and a thousand euros for 112 rubles.
In Khimki, the currency is more expensive on Wednesday: Sergei wants to sell euros at 115 rubles, and Maxim plans to give dollars for the same currency.
According to the Moscow Stock Exchange, the currency is much cheaper: the dollar – 83.3 rubles, the euro – 90.4 rubles.