AADE – Santorini: “Resalto” on daily cruise ships that are escaping

With an organized operation, which took place at the same time in three of its ports, its auditors identified and found on the spot tax evasion by vessels, carrying out hundreds of daily cruises daily, carrying thousands of tourists to the Caldera. In the case of the case in Santorini, the auditors used information and evidence that some tourist vessels were withholding revenue in various ways, such as inaccurate tax issues, circumvention of total chartering, and therefore did not pay the Greek State a significant amount of VAT The same information also stated about these vessels that when they are informed that tax checks are carried out at the Port of Vlyhada, they avoid tying and landing passengers at the port concerned, changing the course of their vessels and resorting to similar piers, more occult and less known, in order not to undergo tax control. The operation On Thursday, August 22, 2024, after sundown, the auditors raided, divided on every port pier, surpriseing the first incoming tourist boats, which returned at that time full of tourists from the daily cruise. Several on-the-spot tax checks were carried out and infringements were found, with the result that VAT fines and special financial penalties were charged. The following afternoon, August 23, 2024, half of the auditors returned to Vlychada, continuing control. Some vessels, as they entered in order to disembark passengers, were informed that AADE’s steps were re-checked in the same port, and changed course, approaching nearby ports and piers in order to avoid tax control. There, however, they were expected by the other half of the auditors, by surprise, and by checking them, by also finding tax infringements there and going on to charge VAT fines and special financial penalties. Overall, 14 vessels were checked and infringements were found in 8. Only for two days, they were found to have hidden a turnover of 10,100 euros, now VAT of 2,420 euros. In addition to the fines, of only EUR 20,000 for these two days, these companies are thoroughly monitored to determine the total amount of tax evasion.