Wednesday19 February 2025
smiua.net

Ukrainians are receiving fake emails about tax refunds supposedly from "Diia." Here's what you need to know.

Citizens are being urged to click on a link in the email and enter their personal information. The Center for Counteracting Disinformation has warned that scammers could gain access to bank accounts and withdraw funds.
Украинцам поступают ложные письма о налоговом возмещении от "Дії": что стоит знать об этом?

In Ukraine, scammers have become more active, sending citizens fake letters impersonating the "Diiа" portal. The fraudsters promise "annual tax refunds," but in reality, they steal bank card information and misappropriate victims' funds. This was warned by the State Tax Service.

How does the fraud scheme work?

In the emails, the scammers urge recipients to click on a link that leads to a counterfeit page mimicking the ID.GOV.UA portal. There, they provide information about the supposed "tax refund" and request identification.

Victims are required to enter:

  • mobile phone number;
  • full name;
  • bank card details (number, expiration date, CVV code).

In the Center for Counteracting Disinformation, experts advise never to click on links or enter personal data.

The information obtained can be used by scammers for:

  • linking the victim's account to a new device;
  • logging into the bank account and withdrawing funds.

Tax refund in Ukraine: how it works

Every year until December 31, Ukrainians can take advantage of the right to a tax discount for the previous year. This means that part of the money spent on certain categories of services can be reimbursed by the state as a refund of a portion of the personal income tax (PIT) paid.

To apply for a tax discount, one must submit an income declaration for the previous year. This can be done online through the taxpayer's electronic cabinet, using an electronic signature or BankID. The declaration should include Appendix F3, which contains the calculation of the refund amount.

For instance, if a citizen paid 20,000 UAH for education at a higher educational institution in 2023, they could receive 18% of that amount back in 2024, equating to 3,600 UAH. This also applies to payments for children's education, including private kindergartens and schools.

According to the Tax Code of Ukraine (clause 3, article 166), a tax discount can be obtained for the following expenses:

  • mortgage loan payments;
  • charitable contributions (up to 4% of annual income);
  • education expenses (preschool, school, vocational, and higher education);
  • medical services (a specified list);
  • insurance premiums under life insurance contracts;
  • services for assisted reproductive technologies and child adoption;
  • installation of gas equipment in vehicles;
  • housing rent for internally displaced persons;
  • investments in shares of residents of "Diiа.City."

We remind you that on February 3, MP Alexander Fedienko reported that emails supposedly from the TCС and SP are being sent to the electronic addresses of Ukrainians, containing a PDF file that infects devices with viruses.

On December 19, 2024, Russian hackers launched a cyberattack on the state registries of the Ministry of Justice.