Tax

The financial crimes squad (SDOE) has uncovered a number of tax evasion cases following a series of inspections carried out last month.

According to figures released by the department, irregularities and omissions in tax data, including the issuing of bogus invoices, submitted by 19 companies exceeded the sum of 214 million euros.

The German Finance Ministry on Monday sought to play down comments by Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble that Greece would require a third bailout but, coming amid rising pressure by the troika for Greek authorities to enforce reforms, Schaeuble’s comments were seen as a prod in the same direction.

By Alexis Papachelas

Today I will concede part of this column to a friend who has been severely hit by the economic crisis, without however giving in to the temptation of portraying himself as an indignant victim. This person has always believed in the need for far-reaching reforms and is deeply frustrated by the lack of progress. He recently sent me the following e-mail:

 Creditors to oppose any relaxation of austerity policy even if it comes with offsetting measures

By Prokopis Hatzinikolaou

The Finance Ministry is drawing up a set of measures aimed at lightening tax debts and bringing an end to distortions in tax legislation, to be submitted for discussion with the country’s creditors in mid-July.

Group of suspects arrested for tax evasion

NOVI SAD -- The police in Novi Sad have detained 17 people and are searching for nine others on suspicion they helped companies evade paying taxes worth over EUR 3 million.

According to a statement, the arrested are suspected of criminal enterprise, abuse of authority and tax evasion.

The chairman of the Eurogroup of eurozone finance ministers Jeroen Dijsselbloem said on Tuesday the eurozone must "jointly reform" and added that high taxes on labor are an obstacle to growth.

Speaking in Berlin, Dijsselbloem said that national tax cuts should be coordinated across Europe.

BELGRADE - The proposed changes stipulating that employers will be temporarily exempt from paying a part of the income tax and contributions for newly hired people will not help resolve the issue of unemployment or deliver a major blow to the grey economy.

 Finance Ministry intends to offer incentives for return of undeclared incomes from accounts held abroad

By Prokopis Hatzinikolaou

The issue of repatriating capital derived from undeclared incomes is returning to the negotiating table, as the government intends to present a plan for the return to Greek banks of deposits held abroad to its creditor representatives in September.

By Nikos Roussanoglou

Following the reduction in the transfer tax to 3 percent since the start of the year, Greece has shown a considerable improvement in the European chart of countries based on total property transaction charges.

The Union of Greek Shipowners intends to hold talks with the government on the taxation of foreign seamen working on Greek-flagged ships, an issue that has seen the emergence of significant opposition among its members.