KIEV — Cash-strapped Ukraine on Wednesday reminded entertainers making money by posing as Did Moroz — the local version of Santa Claus — and his helpers to pay income tax. The former Soviet republic's government faces $9 billion (5 billion pounds) in foreign debt repayments next year and its budget deficit almost tripled in January-October this year to more than $4 billion. By studying Internet advertisements, the state tax service found out that a Did Moroz with a traditional female Snihuronka (Snow Maid) helper would earn 250 to 3,500 hryvnias ($30 to $440) per hour in capital Kiev 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. — Reuters
