SRC fines central Yerevan restaurants and firms 74 million drams for labor and cash violations

Armenia’s State Revenue Committee (SRC) has fined dozens of businesses in central Yerevan a total of 74 million drams for failing to formally register employees and for violations related to cash registers and non-cash payment rules, the agency said on Wednesday.

One high-end food outlet on Northern Avenue was fined 10 million drams after inspections found breaches of cash register regulations, failure to register hired workers and violations of Armenia’s law on non-cash transactions. The company, Beverayin Voch LLC, operates the Tun Lahmajo restaurant on Teryan Street.

Overall, 72 taxpayers were found to have unregistered employees. The largest penalty—56.75 million drams—was imposed on a taxpayer for failing to formalize three or more employees. Another company, A Q Sh, was fined 9 million drams for similar violations.

Several restaurants and entertainment venues in downtown Yerevan were also penalized. The 13:20 bar on Buzand Street was fined 1.5 million drams, while Armhookah LLC, which operates Level 3 by Armhookah and Armhookah Lounge Bar on Aram Street and Northern Avenue, was fined 2 million drams. Aras Food was fined 5 million drams, the Extra Virgin restaurant on Saryan Street 3 million drams, and Just Juniors children’s café on Baghramyan Avenue 750,000 drams.

Fines were also issued outside the hospitality sector. Cleaning services company 33 Katil was fined 1 million drams, fuel trader Gevor Glaz 1.25 million drams, and Voskevaz Winery 250,000 drams.

The SRC said inspections will continue as part of efforts to enforce labor registration and tax compliance rules.