The digital toolbox that will pave the way for new permanent tax reliefs

Gazi step on and the Ministry of Finance in order to bring a significant effect on the “fight” against tax evasion, so that it is possible for the government to move on to permanent in 2026 and 2027, as included in its road map. At the recent AADE event to modernise tax administration and serve the citizen, in Zappeion, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis gave a sample of the government’s intentions for tax reductions. High on the priorities of the financial staff is to give a tax breath to the middle class and especially to employees. In fact, the prime minister, although not exclusively mentioned in the middle class, stressed that this social group and especially middle income employees have seen tax reductions, but “we can be even more committed to their relief by 2027.” Among the scripts on the table, although it is still too early, is the change in the income tax scale and especially in the second step from 10,000 to 20,000 euros, where the tax rate is 20%, while the immediately preceding one is only 9%. These are all scenarios, and the crystallization of any decisions will come next autumn, after the result of the fight against tax evasion is shown. It is worth noting that the 2025 budget includes provision for an increase in revenue from the fight against tax evasion, equal to that already achieved in 2024, i.e. EUR 1.8 billion. Under the new financial rules, first you achieve the objective and then you can proceed with measures that do not alter the final result and can be considered a permanent measurable result. Consequently, in order for Greece to move on to permanent tax reliefs, it will have to achieve a result next year from the reduction of tax evasion and the development of the economy, in addition to the planned amount included in the budget. What does that mean in practice? Of the EUR 69.2 billion revenue from taxation – indirect and direct – for households and businesses in 2025, only the excess amount, which will not result from circumstances above this level, can be used to take permanent measures. Tools for achieving objectives As Minister of National Economy and Finance, Kostis Hatzidakis stressed, in this effort in 2025 an important role for the increase of taxable matter will play the implementation of measures such as: Electronic billing. The digital clientele. The global statement of revenue – expenses of an enterprise in MYDATA. The digital dispatch card. Changes promoted since January 2025 At the same time, special applications will be launched via mobile phones for businesses and professionals, who will be able to issue and transmit documents such as invoices and retail receipts, directly on the MYDATA platform. A new joint business unit for tax and customs matters is also being activated in the coming period, which will deal with the most demanding tax and smuggling cases in the field, according to what the government’s financial staff and ADE announced yesterday. The new unit will be named Economic Trade Control Forces (EDOS). The new digital tools Catholic statement of revenue – expenses of a business in MYDATA from 1 January 2025. At the same time, the new mydataapp application is launched before the end of 2024, which will allow businesses to issue and transmit documents, such as invoices and retail receipts, directly on the MYDATA platform via smartphone or tablet. Start running the digital clientele in January 2025. Digital clientele is essentially a digital book of customers that will necessarily keep specific branches of free professionals and professionals. It will be monitored by AADE in real time, while there will be the possibility of crossings and comparisons with similar enterprises. The digital clientele will start from branches such as garages, lamp houses, car wash and parking spaces, and will be extended to other branches within 2025. Compulsory application of the digital consignment note in early 2025. By means of the digital sending document, undertakings are required to issue digital traffic documents and transmit their data to the MYDATA digital platform. In this way, the tax authorities will have a full picture of the product being traded at all stages. Universal extension of the electronic invoice. The electronic invoice is already in the everyday life of thousands of businesses, and its compulsory use is to be extended to all sectors of the economy. Previously, approval by the European Commission is expected, with a view to this important action starting within the second half of next year. Source: RES-AE