Illegal Activities of an Art Studio in Minsk Suppressed Involving Tax Evasion and «Enveloped» Salary Payments

The regional office of the Financial Investigation Department of the State Control Committee of the Republic of Belarus has identified and suppressed illegal activities of an art studio providing architectural design and interior design services for real estate projects located both in the Republic of Belarus and abroad.

It has been established that during the period from 2022 to 2025, the company failed to fully reflect in its accounting records the funds received from the provision of architectural and design services. In total, more than 15 million belarusian rubles was concealed from taxation. These funds were used by the owners of the art studio for personal purposes, including the acquisition of high-value real estate in Belarus and abroad, as well as luxury vehicles.

In addition, part of the concealed revenue was used for the payment of salaries «in envelopes». Instances of unofficial salary payments to more than 50 employees of the company have been identified. The total amount of undeclared wage payments exceeded 12 million belarusian rubles. The preliminary estimated damage caused to the state amounts to more than 5 million belarusian rubles.

Criminal proceedings have been initiated on the facts of tax evasion and failure to fulfill the obligations of a tax agent to transfer taxes.

One of the company’s co-founders is cooperating with the investigation and has provided a confession statement.