Hungarian tax authority uncovers 174 million forint TV‑production tax fraud

The National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV) disclosed a large‑scale fake employment and invoicing scheme used in the production of popular Hungarian television programmes. The scheme involved a client that selected specific specialists, a producer company that contracted frequently changing subcontractors, and a series of straw‑man firms that existed solely to issue fictitious invoices. These companies reported the workers as working only about ten hours a week, far less than the actual hours, and generated false invoices that allowed the omission of taxes and social contributions, costing the state over 174 million forint.

NAV’s investigation has so far examined eight participants in the chain and the audit continues, aiming to dismantle the network and protect the rights of the affected employees.