We are constantly being told by the government about tackling tax evasion and hunting down those on the infamous Falciani and UBS lists – but no results. The data on tax revenue from 2015 that were published on Wednesday show that despite the new taxes imposed, revenue was down compared to 2014. From 44.2 billion in 2014, revenue amounted to 43.6 in 2015.
It is worth noting that the VAT revenue only increased by 12 million euros, despite the rate going up and being extended to tourist islands… So tax evasion remains a problem and the inspections, which are supposed to have increased, have not been efficient. The fact that only income tax categories that have increased, by 11$%, are employees and pensioners demonstrates the inefficiency of the policy being followed and the state mechanism’s inadequacy.
It is obvious then that constantly adding new taxes leads nowhere other than draining employees and tax evasion soaring, from the self employed, farmers and everyone else who can hide their income. The bodies tasked with inspecting the various lists are turning out to be just as inefficient, since the income is meager, compared to what the Finance Ministry officers expect.
For months now Finance Minister Alexiadis has bombarded us with changes being prepared which will catch the large sharks, but there is nothing yet on the horizon. They have not even decided what to do about the collection of receipts. They are going down the beaten path of increasing taxes for employees in order to cover budget deficits.
Only this recipe has long exceeded its limits and the endurance of those who continue to earn money from the work. If they do not change attitudes, if they do not decide to create mechanisms to tackle the extensive tax evasion, which is not just about the “big fish”, the situation will grow worse, rather than better. With fanfares, promises and the obsessions of the trainee wizards, the tax evasion will only continue…
TO VIMA
