Ukraine’s tax system functions primarily on the basis of unofficial rules of tax collection. This divergence between law and practice predates Russia’s 2022 invasion. This column argues that Ukraine needs a new tax system that provides incentives to come out of the shadow economy. The main goal is for businesses to pay predictable and uniform taxes as prescribed in the law. In times of tremendous crisis the state has to react forcefully to protect its citizens. The Ukrainian government has done so on the military front, it has to do so on the tax front too.