Businesses not issuing a receipt to their customers should think twice. Greece’s tax administration is cracking down on those evading tax by activating a law which entitles probes into enterprises, along with temporary shutdowns, for repeat offences.
This year’s tourism season, which is currently in full swing, has seen tax evasion soar with the tax administration understandably concerned, reports Kathimerini.
In a meeting on Wednesday, General Secretary for Public Revenues, Giorgos Pitsilis shared the news with professional and employer associations.
He announced that serial tax legislation violations will result in short shutdowns, though they are unlikely to reach the law’s maximum of 30-day closure limit.
Mr Pitsilis added that those found not issuing the necessary receipts or invoices upon their first inspection would in fact be given a second chance. However, a second violation would not go down so smoothly, warning that they would be shut down for 48 hours.
He also noted that a black list is in the works, of corporations in Greece with large turnover variations, in the instance that revenues vary greatly upon inspection to the rest of the year’s takings. Those who make the list, will be subject to repeated inspections.
Amongst the various issues discussed during the meeting, one point all parties agreed upon, was that card and electronic transactions should be made available wherever possible, believed to be the only sure way that the country can adequately combat tax evasion.
