Failure to declare property: liability and protection of declarants

During the annual electronic declaration submission period, it is important to remember that errors in declarations can have serious consequences, ranging from criminal liability to reputational damage. This applies not only to ministers and central government officials, but also to local council members, heads of municipal enterprises, local government officials, and other declarants.

What practice shows

The issue of non-declaration remains relevant. One recent example is the case of a deputy of the Berehove District Council in Zakarpattia. According to the prosecutor’s office, the official did not declare assets and income of more than UAH 8.3 million, including a Ford Mustang and transactions involving the purchase and resale of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Such situations arise not only through intent, but also through carelessness or insufficient understanding of legal requirements. However, the law does not distinguish between motives — a mistake can have the same legal consequences as a deliberate violation.

Main consequences of non-declaration

• Criminal liability under Article 366-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — for providing false information or intentionally failing to submit a declaration.
• Inspections and fines by the NACP and tax authorities.
• Risk of public scandal and loss of trust among voters or colleagues.
• Career restrictions — declarants who violate the law are often deprived of the right to hold office in the future.

How to prevent problems with the declaration

The decisive factor here is not justification after the fact, but legal preparation beforehand. Consulting with lawyers at the stage of preparing the declaration allows you to:

• correctly classify property, corporate rights, and financial obligations;
• verify the consistency of income and expenses;
• avoid incomplete or ambiguous data;
• warn against the risks of violating anti-corruption legislation.

Legal support in the field of declaration is an investment in reputation, not an expense for formality.

WINNER: legal protection of transparency

The WINNER Law Firm team provides legal assistance to declarants of all levels — from local deputies and civil servants to heads of state and municipal enterprises. We provide comprehensive support for declarations, anti-corruption compliance, and financial transparency, helping you avoid legal risks and protect your integrity.

WINNER — when transparency becomes protection.

Author: Ihor Yasko, Managing Partner at “WINNER” Law Firm, PhD in Law.