Strict penalties for using cash to evade taxes

On July 30, 2025, the Deputy Prime Minister issued Official Telegram No. 124/CD-TTg to ministries, sectors, and localities on promoting cashless payment.

Accordingly, the Government requested the urgent implementation of measures to boost cashless transactions and strictly handle violations, especially cases where cash payments are deliberately used to evade taxes.

Previously, the Prime Minister approved Decision No. 1813/QD-TTg dated October 28, 2021, on the development of cashless payment for the 2021–2025 period. However, recently, cash transactions have tended to increase, negatively affecting the economy and facilitating tax evasion, money laundering, and other violations.

The Ministry of Finance is assigned to lead and coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to:

• Enhance inspection and supervision of state budget payments and tax collection;

• Ensure compliance with regulations on invoices and payment documents under the Law on Value-Added Tax and Decree No. 181/2025/ND-CP dated July 1, 2025;

• Promptly impose strict penalties on violators, particularly those who intentionally use cash for tax evasion.