For nearly ten years, the beaches along the shore of Lake Ohrid in Struga have been used without concessions, causing the Municipality of Struga financial losses that, according to Mayor Mendi Qyra, amount to at least half a million euros.

The agreements for administering the beaches expired in 2016. Despite this, various buildings, including permanent structures, have been erected along the lakeshore, creating a chaotic situation and uncontrolled urbanization.

Struga Mayor Mendi Qyra says that the entities operating on the beaches are not paying a single denar into the municipal coffers.

“Citizens should know that the beaches are now operating without concessions and, for the time being, are not paying a single denar to the municipality. Therefore, as mayor, I have proposed that a decision be made on their management so that we can collect revenue. In this regard, the municipality will lose at least around half a million euros,” Qyra said.

Since March, Qyra has been seeking the development of a legal solution for regulating the shore of Lake Ohrid in Struga, with the aim of stopping the usurpation and illegal use of public spaces.

According to him, one proposal is for the beaches to be administered through a decision allowing the installation of basic urban equipment. For the structures included in demolition procedures, as well as for the other buildings, the legal basis and the manner in which they will be dealt with must be determined.

Struga Municipal Council President Mite Stefovski believes that the issue cannot be resolved solely through a decision that would create the possibility of collecting revenue.

He emphasizes that this situation has developed over more than ten years and that resolving it requires support, consultations and cooperation with state institutions.

Qyra calls environmentalists’ proposal to demolish all the structures on the beaches illogical. He says that some of the entities that have managed these areas have invested up to 300,000 euros, although the land along the shore of Lake Ohrid in Struga is not privately owned.

The management of the beaches remains an issue requiring legal and institutional intervention. The last contracts expired in 2016, while the use of public spaces along the shore has continued even after their expiration.

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With the arrival of the summer season, the Public Revenue Directorate has significantly increased its field engagement, emphasizing the earnings individuals obtain from renting out properties for short stays.

The institution announces a series of concrete measures: distribution of simplified guidelines for completing tax declarations, personalized communication with taxpayers, data exchange with central and local authorities, as well as risk analyses that will be followed by targeted inspections. Simultaneously, a broad awareness campaign will be conducted through media channels and social platforms.

The main focus is on income gained from renting apartments, flats, villas, houses, rooms, and any other type of accommodation unit, as well as profits from other seasonal activities closely linked to the tourism industry.

The Public Revenue Directorate stresses that the initiative aims to encourage voluntary compliance with fiscal rules, creating a level playing field for everyone operating in the hospitality sector.

“Our objective goes beyond identifying obligations; we wish to assist citizens in fulfilling them correctly and regularly,” states an official stance of the administration.

Taxpayers are reminded that any amount earned from accommodation rental agreements is taxed in accordance with the legal framework in force, and they are urged not to overlook payment deadlines.

The tax administration confirms that it will continue with control schemes guided by risk profiling, with the aim of protecting conscientious operators from unfair market practices and ensuring uniform enforcement of legislation.

The post DAP Intensifies Checks on Short-Term Tourist Rentals During Summer appeared first on Albeu.com.

Inspectors Besnik Dalliu, Elton Ndoci and Andi Hajdari, authorised to inspect commercial units operating in the tourism sector, have also been deployed in the field during days off.

But is this timing in line with the spirit of supporting businesses? According to complaints from entrepreneurs themselves, even in cases where all documentation appears to comply with the rules, their computer equipment has been confiscated. This has deprived them of the ability to carry out the most basic part of their work: issuing invoices and recording sales. The economic consequences on these crucial days are considerable, and businesses are raising concerns over who will be held responsible for these damages.

This situation runs counter to the tone of the Prime Minister’s previous statements, in which he insisted that the tax administration should act as a partner, not as a “gang” towards entrepreneurs. In this context, the question naturally arises as to whether surprise inspections at the peak of the tourist season are consistent with this philosophy. Faced with actions that, according to the claims, paralyse activity during the most productive period of the year, there is a tangible risk that tourism itself will be hit, sending a discouraging message instead of combating tax evasion.

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