Heineken Vietnam is subject to pay VND917.2 billion (US$39.6 million) in tax arrears for a transaction worth VND4.8 trillion (US$207.8 million) in late 2018, according to the General Department of Taxation of Vietnam (GDT), VnExpress reported.

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At present, Heineken has paid the full amount to the state coffers, stated the GDT.

In late 2018, Singapore - based Heineken Asia Pacific Pte transferred 100% stake at the Heineken Vietnam Brewery – Hanoi to Heineken Vietnam Brewery in a deal worth VND4.8 trillion (US$207.8 million).

On behalf of Heineken Asia Pacific Pte, Heineken Vietnam Brewery filed tax returns with the tax amount assessed to be over VND823 billion (US$35.61 million). But Heineken Asia Pacific later sent a document to Hanoi’s taxation authority asking to waive the amount under the agreement on double taxation avoidance between Vietnam and Singapore.

Under the agreement, foreign invested enterprises would be waived of certain taxes if its business address is at a country with a lower tax duty.

However, the GDT suggested the agreement sets an exemption in case of the value of immovable property is over 50% of the total transaction value, the tax obligation should be declared and paid at the contracting state, namely Vietnam.

After the GDT’s announcement, Heineken Vietnam Brewery paid the amount of VND917.2 billion (US$39.58 million) to Vietnam's budget, including VND823 billion (US$35.61 million) in tax and the remaining amount in penalty for late payment.

The collection of Heineken’s tax arrears helped bring the tax arrears collection in December to VND4.47 trillion (US$193.46 million).

In December, the GDT requested Coca-Cola Vietnam to pay back a tax amount of VND821 billion (US$35.44 million), citing the company’s false tax declaration leading to its underpayment of financial obligations

In the past, Coca-Cola Vietnam was suspected of transfer pricing due to its consecutive losses in many years while continuously expanding the business operation. At present, Coca-Cola Vietnam has paid the VND471 billion (US$20.33 million) in tax arrears.

In 2019, the tax authority retrieved an amount of VND18.8 trillion (US$811.3 million) from inspections.