As we saw in the previous article, the requirement for restaurants to install a sales recording module (SRM) to their sales recording system caused some inconveniences. François Meunier, vice president of public and government affairs for the Restaurant Association of Québec (ARQ), expressed the concerns of its members: "[I] t would have always wished that the government find a way to correct the problem by not penalizing good restaurants. The system chosen was for failure to ensure that honest restaurateurs have been targeted as much as dishonest restaurateurs. "
Nevertheless, the restaurant industry recognized the legitimate struggle of Revenu Québec on ??tax evasion, which is expected to struggle to recover more than $ 2 billion by 2018-2019. Is tax evasion in the field of restoration has finally dropped?
On 14 February 2013, a little over a year after the introduction of the SRMRevenu Quebec reported an increase in self-assessment, or about $ 160 million. In addition, during the period between 1 September 2010 and 31 October 2012, the Quebec government has recovered $ 1,335,400 in fines from restaurateurs who have violated the new measure. These restaurant risked a fine from $ 2,000 to $ 100,000.
However, other restaurants have continued to flout the law. More recently, April 24, 2014, Revenu Québec filed 391 charges against the company 9173-131 Québec inc., Also known as the restaurant Pho Cali, located in Montreal. Among the charges include making false statements, failing to keep a record with the prescribed device and printing invoices with a device other than the one prescribed. The offenses, which occurred between June 23, 2011 and February 6, 2013, cost a total of 796 $ 261.13 in fines, or one of the largest penalties imposed by Revenue Quebec as part of its struggle against the tax evasion in the field of restoration. The administrator of the restaurant and his assistant could face additional fines and imprisonment.
The increase in self-assessment and the collection of fines are not the only benefits in the fight against tax evasion. With the SRM, Revenu Québec has won several awards in the year 2012 For starters, the body got two OCTAS at the annual gala Réseau Action TI, is in the category "Innovation - more than 250 employees" and in the class "OCTAS of Excellence." Subsequently, the project won the Palme d'Or for the IPAC Award for Innovative Management, prize awarded by the Institute of Public Administration of Canada. Finally, Revenue Quebec has won an award from the Institute of Public Administration of Canada in the category "Civil Service".
Today, the sales recording module is part of the habits of restaurant owners, including those that include the costs associated with this unit when writing their business plan. The SRM operates in around 20,000 eating establishments and the Government of Quebec has been a reduction of tax evasion of more than $ 400 million.
After the success and honors, what is left now? From autumn 2014, for five months in 2800 and 3100 bars resto-bars will install an SRM with their sales recording system. According to Revenue Quebec tax losses related to this sector are estimated at more than $ 75 million per year while the agency expects to recover $ 109 million over the next three years. For consumers, it means the systematic receipt of the invoice with his famous barcode. For bar owners or resto-bars, this is a story to follow ...
