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Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Greek Alternate FinMin: The Tax System Is Unfair and Class-Based

Since Friday, when the express-settlement for the arrears to the State was put into effect, some 18 to 20 million euro have flown into the state coffers on a daily basis, while on Monday alone revenues reached 50 million euros, Greek Alternate Finance Minister Nadia Valavani told ANT1 TV on Tuesday. She also made clear that this specific settlement will not be extended. The Uniform Real Estate Ownership Tax (ENFIA), Valavani said, will be replaced by the large property tax while the so-called objective property values need to be changed first. For this reason, a special committee is being set up, with the whole process expected to be completed by May. Regarding the issue of the VAT rate for the islands, she said it was still under discussion and no final decision has been taken yet. She ruled out an increase on heating oil tax. On the country’s lenders, she said that “based on the February 20 agreement, we inform of everything we are doing,” citing as an example the disagreement on the 100 installments settlement, on which she said: “They did not want any regulation, they wanted the creation of tax conscience, which is fair.” “The tax system is not fair and is class-based,” she commented on the current tax system, highlighting the over-taxation of weaker strata and added: “If we do not change this, we, as a government, have no reason to exist.” “The changes in the tax system and the tax reliefs will be ready in the second half of the year,” she said. (source: ana-mpa)


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