The Tax Authority faces and fights tax evasion on a daily basis and we try to follow the phenomenon and cover various events. The state loses hundreds of millions (and maybe even more) every year from the tax evasion of citizens, whether it is small evasions of hundreds or thousands of shekels a month or whether these are many millions. These misses are a scourge of the state and one of the reasons the state is forced to raise taxes.
This time, Tal Vaknin, 24 years old from Be’er Sheva, was arrested yesterday and released on bail on suspicion of operating a network to smuggle electronic cigarettes into Israel, through mail shipments. According to the suspicion, while he was in the US, Vakanin sent over 100 packages with electronic cigarettes to Israel, and wrote false information on them in order to avoid paying taxes.
The suspect was in contact with partners who pulled the packages from delivery centers in Israel and transferred the electronic cigarettes for marketing in the local market in Israel. Also, Vakanin is suspected of having used the names of dozens of seemingly innocent people, whom he registered as recipients of the packages he sent to Israel.
The suspicions arose following an investigation conducted by the Tax Authority, through customs and VAT investigations in Beer Sheva and the Central Customs House. The investigation shows that in 2022 alone, the suspect sent over 100 packages, most of which were intercepted but about 18 reached his hands. The payment of the tax that the suspect evaded (purchase tax and VAT) amounts to approximately NIS 1.8 million.
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