The head of the Tax Department (DGII) did not go shopping at the Diamond Mall. Rather, he was talking to five stores there that are in arrears in their tax payments. Specifically, they have not paid their VAT (ITBIS) taxes in such a way as to make the tax office happy. As a result, the DGII has given them five days to pay up or face forceful closure of their doors. The DGII operation was carried out accompanied by assistant attorney generals in accordance to the new Penal Code. According to the report in the Listin Diario, some of the stores are charging the VAT, but not turning the money into the tax office. Carlos Santos, the official from DGII that headed the operation told reporters that the “irregularities” committed by many of the establishments, many of which have their head offices outside of the mall, have been proven, and the businesses have been notified that they must provide the IR office with the information required or else. Santo pointed out that the DGII office is allowed to review any and all accounting at any commercial establishment.