The attitude of the opposition not to support the government’s initiative regarding the taxation system of the self-employed is commented by Minister of National Economy and Finance Kostis Hatzidakis with his post on his official account on social networks.

“I expected that the opposition parties who are theoretically in favor of social justice, would support this social justice initiative.

So you should to answer us directly:

They consider it fair and ethical to be a freelancer be taxed on income below that of a minimum wage worker (71% report income below the minimum wage worker)?

They consider, even more, fair for a self-employed person to pay less tax than an employed person?», states among other things in his post.

and adds: “it is comical to say the least that we are being fingered on this issue, at a time when as a government they had increased 30 taxes. They now remembered the reduction of taxation, when it was preceded by the Katrougalou law which dramatically increased the insurance contributions of the self-employed”.

His post in detail

See here another “disaster” we cause! This time with the new, fair system of taxation of freelancers! SYRIZA talks about their “targeting” and “tax trap”. PASOK for an alleged head tax. The KKE for “tax raid”.

I really did not expect that we would listen to our comments on this topic! I expected that the opposition parties who are theoretically in favor of social justice, would support this social justice initiative. So they should answer us directly: Do they think it is fair and ethical for a freelancer to be taxed on income lower than that of an employee paid the minimum wage (71% declare an income below the minimum wage worker)? Even more, do they think it’s fair that a self-employed person pays less tax than an employed person? Do they think it’s fair that 4% of freelancers pay 50% of taxes? These are not serious things. If they are, after all, in favor of tax evasion, they should tell us directly. It is primarily a matter of ethics towards their own constituents, some of whom are surely salaried or retired!

The truth is that the system we propose is a fair system which is combined with a parallel gradual abolition of the pretense fee. Tax rates are not affected. Indeed, the most consistent taxpayers will pay less tax, with the abolition of the pretension fee. Those affected by the increases are those who declared incomes below the minimum wage. In addition, 76% of freelancers will pay between 0 and 3,000 euros in tax. And all this, while we made it clear that we aim to allocate the additional revenues (874 million euros for 2024 and 606 million euros after the abolition of the pretension fee) to strengthen Health and Education and to reduce tax rates even more . At the same time, the benefit resulting for the budget, from the reduction of benefits to freelancers, will be directed to an increase in the present benefits to those who really need them!

I would, however, like to make a special mention of SYRIZA. Because it is at least comical that they are pointing the finger at us on this issue, when as a government they had raised 30 taxes. They now remembered the tax cut, when it was preceded by the Katrougalou law that dramatically increased the insurance contributions of the self-employed. With positions like that of the competent department head, their political impasse and their unprecedented political “dizziness” is demonstrated!

Personally, I would in any case encourage such “angry” reactions from the Opposition parties. Because they isolate them even more from society. The society that recognizes the just character of our reform and voted for us, not to compromise with established perceptions, but to proceed with brave reforms. In those reforms that will allow our country to continue moving forward!