The Serbian government has decided to launch its tax receipt lottery, called Take the receipt and win, again in 2018 in order to fight against the grey economy, reads a January 23 statement. In the contest citizens can collect fiscal receipts when they make purchases and submit them to win prizes such as cars or even apartments.

Even though issuing fiscal receipts is mandatory for every retailer, many still try to avoid it in order to avoid paying tax on the goods they sell. However, every customer has the right to demand a receipt and if a seller refuses to issue one they are not obligated to pay for their goods.

The government says the Take the receipt and win contest is one of the most important measures within the National Programme for suppressing the grey economy, which is one of the government’s economic priorities. A large number of people still work in the grey economy, according to a recent IMF statement. 

According to the government, during the three months of the previous prize contest, turnover through fiscal cash registers increased by 33% for small taxpayers where the grey economy is most present, and tax inspectors registered a quarter less offences in issuing fiscal receipts. In the same period, non-cash transactions grew by 18.5%.

The prize fund of Take the receipt and win 2018 will be significantly larger than last year and will include a larger number of cars and apartments that will be awarded to the winners. 

“Considering the great success of the first round in which almost 40% of citizens took part and more than 85mn receipts were sent for competition, the government [on January 23] adopted the conclusion on organising a new round of the prize contest, because it was estimated that the record response significantly contributed to strengthening the tax culture of citizens and the economy and building awareness about the importance of paying taxes and responsible business for the benefit of the entire society,” the government said.