Time is running out for taxpayers to submit their annual income tax returns. With just 10 days remaining until the deadline on 31 July 2026, nearly 6 in 7 obligated individuals have already filed their E1 forms via the myAADE platform of Greece’s Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE).
A Record-Breaking Filing Pace
This year’s filing process is progressing faster than ever before. Thanks to AADE’s revised schedule — which moved the start date to mid-March — over 6 million tax returns from both individuals and legal entities have been submitted as of Friday, 3 July 2026. That figure sets a new record for this point in the tax season.
Compared to last year, filings are up by 33,500. Against the same period in 2024, the increase stands at 1.85 million; versus 2023, it’s nearly 2 million.
Minister Hails Shift in Taxpayer Behaviour
Dimitris Markopoulos, Deputy Minister of Finance responsible for taxation, told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA) that this year’s strong performance reflects both the AADE’s thorough preparation and a broader shift in taxpayer attitudes. “Citizens are increasingly embracing digital innovations and engaging more readily with the tax system — a highly encouraging development,” he said.
Timing Matters: Who Files When — and Why
Data shows a clear pattern: those who file in the final days tend to report higher incomes and owe more tax. In contrast, early filers are typically those expecting a tax refund or with zero tax liability. Late filers often have multiple income sources — such as salaries, rental income, freelance earnings, or agricultural profits — leading to higher supplementary tax obligations.
Incentives for Early Payment
Under current rules, around one in three filers — approximately 2.1 million of the 5.8 million individual returns submitted so far — must pay either the first instalment or the full amount by 31 July to qualify for a discount of 2% to 4%, depending on when they filed.
Those submitting within the next 10 days and opting for full, one-time payment are eligible for a 2% reduction on their supplementary tax.
Zero-Liability and Refund Filings
About 35% of all submitted E1 forms — roughly 2.1 million — show zero tax liability. These taxpayers neither owe additional tax nor qualify for a refund.
Meanwhile, around 1.75 million E1 declarations result in a credit balance. On average, each of these taxpayers is due a refund of €176.
Of the 5.8 million individual returns filed to date, 1.95 million taxpayers owe supplementary tax — averaging €1,880 per person.