By Chrysostomos Tsoufis

At 17.00 in the afternoon the deadline for the timely submission of tax returns expires and at the same time a large cycle of extensive checks and cross-checks by the AADE begins.

In any case, those who belong to professional groups characterized by high tax evasion, but also those indicated by the system of indirect control techniques applied by AADE, are targeted. More specifically, the bell rings for the following taxpayers:

  • Those who submitted an initial tax return that was debited and then made an amendment that resulted in a tax refund. In these cases, the amended return usually understates income or “inflates” expenses. Sometimes the imputed costs are also reduced.
  • Those who submitted an initial return that was zero or provided a small tax refund which was inflated by the amending return.
  • Those who submitted an initial return with the liquidation showing a high tax which with the amending return was significantly reduced.
  • Those who had debit statements in previous years also received a tax refund this year
  • Taxpayers with high imputed expenses but also those who showed significantly less imputed expenses this year compared to previous years.
  • Those who have income from real estate and especially from short-term rentals.

Those who have a tax refund – either from the original or the amending declaration – are generally put under the microscope, which this year according to the updated data is close to 1,039,000. Half have already taken their money but that doesn’t mean they’re out of danger.

And of course, the range of checks will be widened, as in the next period the AADE will run a mammoth cross-checking program for those taxpayers who declared an annual income of up to €10,000, which exceeds 6 million. AADE auditors will compare declared income with bank account movements, any income from abroad, card purchases, expenses for loan repayment, insurance, education and utility bill repayment and those who are found to have…stretched their legs those beyond the mattress, will be called for explanations.