Tax evasion: more than 176 million euros in Saxony

According to the Ministry of Finance, tax investigators uncovered more than 176 million euros in evaded taxes in Saxony last year. The judgments and penalty orders in local criminal tax proceedings that became legally binding in 2024 amounted to this amount, as the Ministry of Finance reported in response to a minor question from MP Susanne Schaper (Left Party).

Since 2010, the total has been in the double-digit million range, with the exception of 2021, at 129.2 million. The "Sächsische Zeitung" and the "Leipziger Volkszeitung" had previously reported on the figures.

Schaper: "The number of unreported cases is higher."

The figure points to successful investigations, Schaper stated. "Nevertheless, these are only the cases that the authorities have got wind of - the number of unreported cases is higher." She called for an increase in the number of tax investigators. This would bring in more money than it costs. "The tax authorities need to systematically investigate companies in particular."

According to the Ministry of Finance, the number of reports of tax evasion has changed little recently: 8,645 reports were received by the tax authorities in 2024, compared to a slightly higher figure of 8,737 in 2023. In the period from 2010 to 2014, the figures were in the five-digit range.