Greece’s tax authority, AADE, is set to launch a new set of tools in September to further combat tax evasion in the country. These tools will focus on checking uninsured vehicles and monitoring the number of customers of businesses more closely. This initiative is part of AADE’s ongoing efforts to increase transparency and compliance with tax regulations.
Starting in September, certain professionals and businesses, including doctors, auto repair shops, parking and vehicle rental companies, gyms, hotels, and event organizers and tour operators, will be required to maintain a digital customer registry. This registry will be provided by AADE and must be active during business hours, connected to the country’s tax authority system, known as the ‘Taxis system’, to prevent tampering or alteration of data.
The system will track the number of customers for each professional and compare it with the number of service receipts issued and transmitted to the electronic myData system. If a business reports a limited number of customers, it will trigger an on-site inspection. This measure aims to ensure that businesses are accurately reporting their income and paying the appropriate taxes.
In particular, auto-repair shops, which have been categorized as „high-risk“ for tax evasion, will undergo a detailed mapping and recording process by the Ministry of Transport. This will enable AADE to enforce the obligation of the Digital Customer Registry effectively. The special register will include information such as the total number of repair shops in the country, the category of repair shops, and the number of responsible technicians, among other details.
In addition to monitoring customer registries, AADE will collaborate with the General Secretariat for Information Systems and Digital Governance to develop a platform for identifying uninsured vehicles, unpaid road taxes, and vehicles without a valid roadworthiness certificate. Inspections will be conducted semi-annually, with fines for violators ranging from €250 to €30,000 for repeat offenses.
Furthermore, AADE will launch an application that will receive updates from the General Commercial Registry to detect suspicious capital increases or changes in shareholder structure. This integration will provide detailed information on changes in management, transfers of shares or funds, and other movements by company executives, making it easier to identify businesses that are not compliant with tax regulations.
Overall, these new tools and initiatives by AADE aim to strengthen tax compliance, reduce tax evasion, and improve transparency in Greece’s business environment. By leveraging digital technology and data integration, the tax authority is taking proactive steps to ensure that businesses and individuals fulfill their tax obligations and contribute to the country’s economic development.