The Electronic accounting
Theme: The
Electronic accounting
Plan
Entry
1 Legislative
norms
2 Pluses
and minuses of the electronic accounting
3 List
of "obliged"
4 Ministry
of finance about the fiscal accounting
5 Order
of presentation
6 Responsibility
List
of literature
Entry
That does mean a concept "Presentation of
accounting electronically"? Who is under an obligation to present her? Is
responsibility which for her presentation? Is it possible to avoid her?
In the epoch of development of information
technologies legislators do not stop to correct the order of mutual relations
of taxpayers and tax organs. Changes in a tax law, going into effect on
January, 1, 2008, extended the list of persons, obliged to present the tax
accounting in an electronic kind. Aspiration of tax worker though a bit to
simplify to itself life does this list yet wider, thus frequently they exceed
the plenary powers. Circumstance that НК
РФ
is enough avaricious on norms, touching the electronic accounting, adds
confusion.
In order that to understand everything, taxpayers
have to apply for elucidations in supervisory organs, and at times, defending
the interests, and in judicial instances. In this connection, in opinion of
author, actuality of this article is unquestionable.
1 Legislative norms
In obedience to paragraph 4 of a 1 item 23 NK RF
taxpayers are under an obligation to present in accordance with established
procedure in a tax organ at the place of account tax returns (calculations), if
such duty is foreseen by a tax law. Thus organizations and individual
businessmen can present in a tax organ accounting both in an electronic kind
(on the set formats) and on a paper transmitter (p. 3 items 80 НК
of Russian FEDERATION). Purchase disentitled only those taxpayers, which in
accordance with a tax law are in rows "obliged".
Unfortunately, it is necessary to establish
circumstance that a tax law does not expose the concept of the electronic
accounting; therefore sometimes in practice there are споры
between a tax organ and taxpayers. In fact, all disagreements between parties
are related to the question: whether a taxpayer can to hand over the electronic
accounting, by submitting her in a tax organ on a diskette or another carrier
of data (CD -disk, "flash card")?
Tax worker consider that the electronic accounting
can be presented in an inspection only by means of telecommunication
communication channels. In other cases she ignores electronic. The position
official’s ground p. 4 items 80 NK of Russian FEDERATION, in accordance with
which the order of presentation of tax return (calculation) and documents in an
electronic kind is determined by Ministry of finance. On the basis of the
Federal law from 29.06.2004 № 58-FZ in future to approval by Ministry of
finance of such document Order of presentation of tax return operates in an
electronic kind on telecommunication communication channels[1] (further is
Order).
In accordance with p. 5 this document presentation
of tax return on telecommunication communication channels is carried out by a
taxpayer by means of the specialized operator of connection. Such method of
presentation provides the use of electronic digital signature (EDS) in
electronic documents, which confesses to the equivalent sign manual in a
document on paper transmitter.
It, in turn, protects this electronic document from
an imitation, allows to identify the proprietor of certificate of the key of
signature, and also to set absence of distortion of information in an
electronic document (p. 8 Order).
However some experts adhere to another, opposite
point of view, essence of which is taken to that telecommunication
communication (Internet) channels - it only the method of presentation of
accounting, and electronic kind, - it, actually, accounting format. Moreover, NK
of Russian FEDERATION does not equate these concepts. Consequently, accounting
presented in a tax organ on a diskette or another magnetic transmitter (CD
-disk, flash - card) is also considered handed over in an electronic kind.
Similar position on this question is expounded by
Ministry of finance in Letter from 12.07.2006 № 03-02-07/1-178: for reduction
of expenses of time on handing over of accounting taxpayers can send her in tax
organs in an electronic kind - on telecommunication communication (on the
Internet) channels or on magnetic transmitters.
At the same time, in opinion of author, this letter,
rather, exception from rules, than dogma, and such point of view, accepted by a
taxpayer, certainly will cause a conflict with a tax organ. In this case to
defend the position to the taxpayer will be in a court.
Pay attention: requirements about presentation of
accounting in an electronic kind do not spread to the form of 4-FSS [2] (Letter
of Ministry of finance of Russia from 12.03.2007 № 05-3-07/46), accordingly,
she can be handed over on paper transmitter. It is constrained with that in
obedience to an item 80 NK RF the duty of presentation in an electronic kind is
set only in regard to tax returns and (or) calculations, however this form does
not behave to such.
On the same grounds this requirement does not spread
and on accounting control. Moreover, in accordance with p. 6 item 13 Law
"On a record-keeping"[3] accounting control is made, kept and appears
to the users in proper manner on paper transmitters and only at presence of
economic feasibilities can appear organization in an electronic kind. It
confirms Ministry of finance is Letter from 15.01.2008 № 03-02-07/1-11.
Thus, requirements of tax worker on presentation of
this accounting in an electronic kind on telecommunication communication
channels it is necessary to consider as exceeding of plenary powers, and their
action - illegal.
2 Pluses and minuses of the
electronic accounting
We will begin with advantages presentations of the
tax accounting in an electronic kind. So, will name basic from them.
1. Economy of time. Endless turns in the closing
dates of handing over of accounting, tense situation in the corridors of tax
organ, and also time, necessity on a road to the inspection and back, take away
much time and nerves. It is special topically, when a taxpayer, by virtue of
specific of the activity, is in an account in a few inspections. However, in
order that maximally to shorten the amount of visits of tax inspection,
organization is necessary to take advantage of the right on presentation also of
accounting control on telecommunication communication channels.
2. A duty to present accounting on a paper
transmitter absents.
3. Reduction of amount of technical errors at
filling of accounting. Before the dispatch of files in a tax organ all
accounting passes obligatory control on the rightness of filling in accordance
with the requirements of the ratified format.
4. The facts of presentation of the tax accounting
are eliminated on the unstated form. The operative updating of software,
including. Forms of accounting and controls over the internet, allows a
taxpayer always to be in a course the changes of tax law.
5. Presentation of accounting regardless of chart of
work of tax organ. A taxpayer can choose on your own optimal time of handing
over of the electronic accounting in a tax organ, thus it can be as early,
morning clock, so late, evening, up to the 24th clock of closing date of term
of presentation of accounting in a tax organ (p. 8 item 6.1 NK of Russian
FEDERATION). However to take on an armament the last case extremely
undesirable. In theory all must pass smoothly, however in practice by virtue of
certain circumstances (an overload of network, failures, is in the program) the
set term can be skipped, as a result to avoid tax responsibility succeeded
hardly.
6. Confirmation of delivery of accounting.
7. Operation ability and exactness of treatment of
information. Unlike accounting, presented on a paper transmitter, data of
electronic declarations and calculations set about on the personal accounts of
taxpayer in the automatic mode. Probability of appearance of technical errors
on the stage of input of information in this case is taken to the zero, besides
in practice kameralnaya tax verification of such accounting passes in more
short spaces as compared to "paper colleagues". As a result a
taxpayer can count on more operative receipt of information about execution of
tax obligations before a budget, including. In an electronic kind.
8. Providing of confidentiality.
It should be noted that the above-stated dignities
idealize the general picture of presentation of the electronic accounting
partly. Without a fly in the ointment costs however. So, to the lacks of
presentation of accounting in an electronic kind it is necessary to take:
1. Presence of technical base. For preparation of
the electronic accounting the presence of computer, interconnect the Internet,
and also specialist (employee), trained to work with corresponding software is
needed at least.
2. Dependence on work of the internet Provider and
special operator. From the failures of server of the internet Provider a
taxpayer can be limited in access in the Internet, as a result are problems
with the dispatch of the electronic accounting in good time, bringing in of
taxpayer to responsibility. An analogical situation is folded from blanks
in-process the special operator. In last case, as a rule, according to an
agreement responsibility is born the by an operator, however a fine will be
written however on a taxpayer.
3. Failures of software. Programmatic facilities
which are used for the transmission of the electronic accounting on
telecommunication communication channels are distant from perfection, and from
technical errors in their work for taxpayers there can be problems. So, cases
are known when data of the tax accounting, given by a taxpayer, differed from
information which entered tax organ. Treatment of "illness" is
collation of accounting with a tax organ. Also from failures in the program the
electronic accounting cannot reach to the tax organ, as a result a taxpayer
will not get protocol (confirmations) from an inspection and copy of report,
signed by the electronic digital signature of tax organ. Result - again to
nobody not necessary trials. At the same time lately quality of work of both
the most programmatic providing and tax worker in this direction became better
considerably.
5. Duplication of accounting with the stamp of tax
organ. If a taxpayer plans to get a credit in a bank, then, more credible than
all, he will have to notarize an accounting copy on a paper transmitter in a
tax organ. The point is that accounting passed in an electronic kind has equal
legal force with a paper variant only in case that she is notarized by an
electronic-digital signature properly. However credit establishment cannot
checkup this fact; therefore in most cases jars require accounting with the
stamp of tax organ, but not with protocol of entrance control.
3 List of "obliged"
In accordance with p. 4 Orders presentation of tax
return in an electronic kind is carried out on initiative of taxpayer and at
presence of for him and tax organ of compatible hardware’s and possibilities
for her reception and treatment, thus she must correspond to the format of
presentation of tax returns.
At the same time p. 3 items 80 NK RF determines a
list obliged to present declarations in an electronic kind. The first line in
him is occupied by taxpayers, the middling list quantity of workers of which
for 2006 - 2007 is exceeded by 250 persons, and from January 1 2008 are 100
persons. Thus this norm spreads on all managing subjects regardless of legal
form.
Into consideration: at the decision of middling list
quantity of workers taxpayers are necessary to follow rules, set by Decision of
Russian mandate from 11.10.2007 № 76 for the fill-out № of 1-Т
(information about a quantity and salary of workers on the types of activity)
(Letter of FNS of Russia from 26.04.2007 № HD- 6-25/353@). Sending information
is needed in a tax organ at the place of the account in a due form, ratified by
Order of FNS of Russia from 29.03.2007 № MM- 3-25/174@.
We will remind that organizations which the isolated
subdivisions enter in the complement of must determine the среднесписочную
quantity of workers on the whole on organization (Letter of Ministry of finance
of Russia from 29.12.2006 № 03-02-07/1-364).
Further in a list "obliged" it is
necessary to designate taxpayers, subsumed the largest [4], regardless of
quantity of workers. The reception of the tax accounting in an electronic kind
on telecommunication communication channels from the largest taxpayers is
carried out in the order, ratified by Order of FNS of Russia № of ММ-
3-13/708@ [5]. Ministry of finance considers that these payers must present
accounting in a tax organ at the place of their account as the largest (Letter
from 07.02.2008 № 03-05-04-01/6), thus both a head office and isolated
subdivisions can do it on the basis of warrant (letters of Ministry of finance
of Russia from 18.01.2008 № 03-02-07/1-21, from 26.12.2007 №
03-02-07/1-509).[6]
Moreover, in Letter of Ministry of finance of Russia
it is indicated from 24.05.2007 № 03-02-07/1-256, that to this category of
taxpayers from 2007 the specified tax returns must be presented in an
electronic kind, but not on a paper transmitter. It should be noted that such
requirements supervisory organs can spread and on other taxpayers, included in
the indicated list. It is explained that item 80 NK RF does not contain
exceptions for presentation of the specified declarations or calculations for
past periods. Taxpayers which fall short of to these criteria are right to
present in a tax organ tax returns (calculations) on the set form on a paper
transmitter. Thus tax worker to say no to them not right (п.
4 items 80 NK RF). Moreover, the analogical point of view on this question is
offered by Ministry of finance (letters from 27.02.2008 № 03-04-05-01/34, from
13.02.2008 № 03-02-08/5, from 14.11.2007 №03-02-07/1-472).
4 Ministry of finance about the
fiscal accounting
For handing over of the tax accounting in an
electronic kind, besides a computer, interconnect the Internet, a taxpayer will
have to provide oneself corresponding software which can be offered by the
specialized operator of connection. Thus in different regions and for the
different special operators his cost can considerably differentiate.
How to take into account these charges for the
calculation of income tax, explained Ministry of finance in Letter from
13.02.2008 № 03-03-06/1/91. So, in opinion of officials, if cost of software a
less than 10 000 rub, then charges on his acquisition it is possible to take
into account one-time in composition other charges, related to the production
and realization. If the indicated charges exceed 10 000 rubs, then in obedience
to п.
2 п.
3 items 257 NK RF they are acknowledged by the object of intangible asset (if
the term of their useful use exceeds 12 months), which joins in a depreciation
group in accordance with the term of his useful use, and paid off by charging
amortization.
Ministry of finance made an effort this letter patch
a hole in a tax law. The point is that item 246 NK RF allows taxpayers one-time
to copy off in full only expenses on software a cost not higher 10 000 rubs. At
the same time п. of a 1 item 257 NK RF
provides for as an obligatory condition of confession of asset the amortized
property, that a cost exceeded such the sum in 20 000 rubs. As see, drawing
conclusion, officials did not begin to change to traditions and preferred
interests of the state, than taxpayer.
5 Order of presentation
Besides afore-named Order at presentation in the
inspection of the tax accounting in an electronic kind on telecommunication communication
channels taxpayers are necessary also to take into account Methodical
recommendations [7] and Regulation [8]. These documents operate in part, not
contradicting p. 3 the article. 80 NK RF.
In accordance with p. 5 Order the tax accounting in
an electronic kind appears through the specialized operator of connection [9]
(further is the special operator), activity of which is regulated by Law
"On connection" [10], By a law "On an electronic digital
signature" [11] and by the row of other federal laws (p. 3 division. I of
Order).
Information about the local special operators it is
possible to know in a tax organ at the place of account or on the sites of
regional managements of FNS of Russia, and also in mass Medias. A taxpayer
chooses more "cute" and enters into with him a contract, in which it
is necessary to provide for that in the case of bringing in of taxpayer to
responsibility for ill-timed presentation of the tax accounting through fault
of the special an operator (technical defects, failures) the last compensates
all costs (penalty approvals) born by a taxpayer. However a taxpayer is
necessary to be ready to the judicial trials.
Besides software the special operator gives to the
taxpayer of mean of cryptographic privy and keys of ECP, which are needed for
authentication of concrete taxpayer, maintenance of confidentiality and defense
of transferrable information.
Tax workers take over the special operator the
electronic accounting on telecommunication communication channels and checkup
authenticity of electronic digital signature. In accordance with p. 3.2
Regulation the date of presentation of tax returns and accounting control the
date of their dispatch is considered on telecommunication communication
channels, fixed in confirmation of the specialized operator of connection
(indention. 3 p. 4 items 80 NK of Russian FEDERATION). A tax return is
considered thus presented in a tax organ; if a taxpayer got confirmation,
notarized ECP of the special operator (p. is 6.10 Methodical recommendations).
Besides it during twenty-four hours a taxpayer must get a receipt about the
reception of accounting and protocol of entrance control (p. is 6.7.2
Methodical recommendations) from an inspection. The second copy of receipt
about the reception of accounting in an electronic kind is saved in a tax
inspection (p. 3.3.3 Regulation).
Further in obedience to p. 6.7.3 Methodical
recommendations a taxpayer confirms authenticity of ECP of tax organ on a
receipt about the reception of the tax accounting in an electronic kind, which
must be saved. Protocol of entrance control after confirmation of authenticity
of ECP of tax organ is notarized ECP of taxpayer and also during twenty-four
hours sent to them in an address a tax inspection. The second copy of protocol
of entrance control of tax return, signed ECP of tax organ and notarized ECP
taxpayer, is saved for a taxpayer (p. is 6.7.3 Methodical recommendations).
Pay attention : if in protocol there is information
about that, that the tax accounting did not pass entrance control, then a
taxpayer removes the errors indicated in protocol and repeats all procedure of
handing over of those forms of accounting, which they are fixed (p. is 6.7.5
Methodical recommendations) on.
If a taxpayer did not get from a tax organ in the
set time a receipt about the reception of the tax accounting in an electronic
kind or protocol of entrance control, he must declare about it to the tax organ
and special operator and if necessary to repeat procedure of handing over of
the electronic accounting.
It is necessary also to mark that in accordance with
p. 6 Order, if a taxpayer sends in an inspection a tax return (calculation) on
telecommunication communication channels, then a duty to present paper copies
for him does not arise up.
6 Responsibility
On general rules tax returns (calculations) are
subject to presentation in tax organs in a timely manner (p. 6 item 80 NK of
Russian FEDERATION), for violation of which the Internal revenue code foresees
responsibility on an item 119 NK of Russian FEDERATION.
We will remind, in accordance with п.
of 1 this article the size of penalty approvals can make the to 30% sum of tax
from 5, to subject to payment (to the additional charge), depending on the
amount of months (complete and incomplete) of expiration. If the sum of tax is
small or absents quite ("zero" declaration), then from a taxpayer
will exact a minimum fine - 100 rubs. In the case of delay more than on
half-year (more than 180 days) into an action п.
enters 2 items 119 NK of Russian FEDERATION, which more hard fines are set,
namely 30% from the sum of tax, to subject to payment, plus on 10% for every
month (complete and incomplete) of delay. However a minimum fine (100 rubs)
this norm does not foresee, therefore if to present a "zero"
declaration later 180 days from the set term, then a fine will not be in
general. Undoubtedly, certain interest for a taxpayer Letter of Ministry of
finance of Russia will cause from 24.12.2007 №03-01-13/9-269. In particular, in
this document did officials answer a question: is it possible to attract a
taxpayer, obliged to present declaration in an electronic kind (on
telecommunication communication channels), to tax responsibility on an item 119
НК
of Russian FEDERATION, in case if declaration was presented on a paper
transmitter?
The separate categories of taxpayers according to a
tax law must present declarations (calculations) in an electronic kind. This
duty they carry out by communication of corresponding data through
telecommunication communication channels. In opinion of Ministry of finance,
presentation of tax return in the improper kind or by the unstated method must
be examined as a nonperformance of duty on her presentation. At the same time
to bring a taxpayer to the account, handing over declaration with violation of
requirements of item 80 NK of Russian FEDERATION, in opinion of officials, it
is needed taking into account right applied practice. For example, if a
taxpayer disturbed handing over of declaration on an income tax, then tax
organs must take into account judicial practice, folded through this question
in a concrete region.
In opinion of author, by conclusions, done in a
letter, officials acknowledge that now the internal revenue code does not
contain the special norms, settings responsibility of taxpayer for presentation
of tax returns (calculations) in an electronic kind. From here reasonable
advice to observe carefulness the inferiors at making decision - oriented on
judicial instances.
Now arbitrage practice is folded so that a taxpayer
can bring to the account on an item 119 NK RF only for presentation of
declaration in the term set by a law. Disturbing of
her presentation of responsibility does not draw. As an
example we will present Decision FRONT of ВСО
from 16.10.2007 № А58-2710/07-Ф02-
7689/07, a next situation is considered in which. Organization in good time
presented in a tax organ declarations in an electronic kind on a diskette with
confirmation on paper transmitters. In turn, налоговики
said no in the reception of accounting, specifying on the duty of firm to
present declarations in an electronic kind on telecommunication communication
channels. Firm long did not argue and went under the thumb of inspectors, but
the date of dispatch of declarations on telecommunication communication
channels appeared outside the set terms. In the total organization was brought
to the account on п.
of a 1 item 119 NK of Russian FEDERATION. However judges decided that налоговики
in this case had extended the sphere of action of norms of НК
РФ
about tax responsibility and, alluding to the Informative letter YOU Russian
FEDERATION from 17.03.2003 № 71, specified on absence of grounds for bringing
in of taxpayer to responsibility. Result of "battles" - the decision
of tax organ is acknowledged by illegal. Moreover, grounds for the overvalue of
conclusions of court on this dispute YOU Russian FEDERATION did not find
(Decision from 14.02.2008 № 1475/08).
It should be noted that arbitrage practice, more
clearly reflecting the problem of presentation of the tax accounting in an
electronic kind, while not folded. How налоговики
will operate in regard to taxpayers, not observing the requirement of p. 3
items 80 NK of Russian FEDERATION, to predict enough difficultly. According to
elucidations of Ministry of finance all will depend on arbitrage practice on
this question in every region.
In addition, in the case of presentation of
declaration a taxpayer in a tax organ during 10 days upon termination of the
set term inspectors can avail to the item 76 NK of Russian FEDERATION which
gives a right to halt the operations of this taxpayer on his bank accounts to
them. Also for violation of the terms of presentation of the tax accounting set
by a tax law in a tax organ at the place of account of violator can bring to
the administrative account on an item 15.5 KoAP of Russian FEDERATION. We will
remind, in accordance with this norm the public servants of organization can be
fined on a sum a from 300 to 500 rub.
List of literature
1. Order
of presentation of tax return in an electronic kind on telecommunication
communication channels.
2. Requirements
about presentation of accounting in an electronic kind: Letter of ФНС
of Russia from 12.03.2007 № 05-3-07/46.
3. Law
"On a record-keeping"
4. Letter
of Ministry of finance of Russia from 29.12.2006 № 03-02-07/1-364.
5. Order
of ФНС
of Russia № of ММ-
3-13/708
6. Letter
of Ministry of finance of Russia from 18.01.2008 № 03-02-07/1-21, from
26.12.2007 № 03-02-07/1-509
7. Methodical
recommendations
8. Regulation
9. Order
the tax accounting in an electronic kind appears through the specialized
operator of connection
11.
By a law "On an electronic digital signature"