The government’s goal is to tackle the big problem of tax evasion with new digital tools, and then to further reduce tax rates, Minister of National Economy and Finance Kostis Hatzidakis told SKAI 100.3.

The purpose is to revise the entire tax system, to make it fairer and more efficient, he stressed, while especially for freelancers he said that the government is working on a proposal that will deal with the problem with justice.

“We have 676,000 self-employed TINs, and of these 32.7% declare zero income, that is, they either do not declare income or say they have losses, and another 25.5% declare income up to 5,000 euros,” explained Mr. Hatzidakis.

When asked about the VAT loophole, he stated that from 24% it has been reduced to 15% and the goal is to drop it to 9% by the end of the four years.

“In 2023 we will collect 9% more revenue than in 2022 due to growth, tourism and wages” the finance minister pointed out, adding that there is a positive dynamic of the economy, and unemployment is decreasing.

Asked about bank fees, he said that through the IRIS system, interbank transactions of up to 500 euros per day can be made from the mobile phone with zero fees.

At the same time, freelancers have an obligation, in addition to connecting their cash registers to the POS, to connect their business account to the IRIS direct payment system, as well as to accept direct payment from any natural person who requests it.

Finally, he characterized the deletions from SYRIZA as political vertigo and Mr. Kasselakis a hostage of polarization.