Goran Antić, owner of the bus transportation company “Joe Travel” from Kosovska Mitrovica, says he has been ordered to pay nearly three million Serbian dinars in tax debt after transporting students from northern Kosovo to protests across Serbia.
Antić became widely known last year for providing free bus transportation to students from Kosovo who participated in student protests in central Serbia. His involvement began when he transported students to the Sretenje protest in Kragujevac, after which his company was subjected to a tax inspection by the Serbian Tax Administration.
According to Antić, the inspection lasted around nine months, which he claims placed heavy pressure on his business.
“When your account is blocked, you basically stop existing as a company,” he said, explaining that a blocked account would prevent him from operating, registering vehicles, paying contributions, or maintaining his buses.
Tax Authorities Found No Tax Evasion
Antić claims that officials told him there was no tax evasion and that VAT had been properly paid, but that the alleged issue involved untaxed driver payments made after each trip.
He explained that drivers typically receive additional payments after each journey and sign a receipt for them, a practice he says was properly recorded.
“They say that system cannot be used, and that is the biggest and only problem they found,” Antić stated.
After the inspection, authorities calculated the debt to nearly 2.9 million dinars, including interest accumulated during the lengthy review process.
Suspicions of Political Motivation
Antić claims he was informed by two sources in Belgrade that the inspection was triggered by his decision to transport students to protests.
He believes the prolonged inspection was intentional.
“When the tax inspection is extraordinary, they have to find something, even a minor mistake they can use,” he said.
Although he says he has not faced direct threats, Antić noted that some people advised him to “stay quiet” about the situation.
Previous Incidents and Political Tensions
Antić also recalled earlier incidents in which several of his company’s vehicles were vandalized, with broken windshields and windows in Zvečan and Kosovska Mitrovica. He claims the attackers were linked to the ruling party Serbian Progressive Party.
Criticizing the political leadership in Serbia, Antić said that the current government must eventually leave power, adding that life would become easier afterward.
Additional Dispute With Kosovo Tax Authorities
Antić also revealed that he recently received a separate tax demand of €110,000 from the Kosovo Tax Administration, which he says represents double taxation.
He insists he will not pay the amount, arguing that his company is registered in Novi Pazar and operates across multiple jurisdictions, making the demand unfair.
“I cannot pay taxes to both sides,” Antić said, describing the situation as an impossible financial burden.
