Elance

Entering the world of freelancing is not the easiest thing to do.

The online platform for the extrajudicial debt settlement mechanism opened on Monday for self-employed professionals too, provided they have debts to the tax authorities or social security funds of between 20,000 and 50,000 euros.

A number of clauses in the so-called Katrougalos law on social security, named after ex-labor minister Giorgos Katrougalos who introduced it, remain inert some 20 months later. Although the law is supposed to be in forced in its entirety for a year now, it continues to cause accountants and tax experts headaches and freelancers and self-employed professionals anxiety.

The revenues of the new Single Social Security Entity (EFKA) look likely to crumble when the painful measures agreed by the government and the country's creditors are passed.

Hundreds of thousands of private and public sector workers may also be asked to pay social security contributions for the "agriculture income" they declare to the tax authorities, according to a circular issued by the Labor Ministry on Friday.

I have been watching the habits of the youngest generation very closely. My firm hires many youngsters so I have the chance to observe them. The latest paper that looks at the lives of the coming generation is from Ernst&Young.