On Wednesday, cash-strapped Ukraine reminded entertainers making money by posing as Santa Claus and his helpers to pay income tax.
The former Soviet republic's government faces 9 billion dollar in foreign debt repayments next year and its budget deficit almost tripled in January-October this year to more than 4 billion dollar.
By studying internet advertisements, the state tax service found out that a Santa Claus with a traditional female Snihuronka (Snow Maid) helper would earn 250 to 3,500 UAH (30 to 440 USD) per hour in capital Kyiv this season.
"Such citizens will need to file forms and pay taxes," the tax service said in a statement.
The service said it was barred from conducting tax checks on small businesses but urged ordinary Ukrainians to report tax-dodging Santas.
