It is a natural right of freelancers to disagree and protest, stressed the Minister of Finance Kostis Hatzidakis speaking to SKAI and the show “Today” regarding the reactions that the new tax bill has provoked.

Mr. Hatzidakis said in this regard that the government has made it clear that it wants dialogue and daily meetings are held with institutions and associations. “We listen to any proposals that are composed” he said and denied that the new tax bill is horizontal.

“71% of freelancers reported an income of less than 10,000 euros, which is lower than the income of an employee on the basic salary. 54% declared zero income or even losses and 27% have been doing this for five years straight,” said the finance minister.

When asked why tax evasion is not specified more specifically, he replied that such systems for freelancers also apply in other countries, such as France and Italy, and added that it is difficult to accurately calculate what is happening.

“The more technologically advanced things are, the more precisely they will be determined,” he noted.

Mr. Hatzidakis also said: “You say that you are a freelancer, we say that your personal contribution to the business cannot be valued lower than the salary of an employee who is paid the minimum wage. Is it absurd? Are you making less than your employee?’

The Minister of Finance continued by noting that the presumption is rebuttable and that anyone who believes that they are not covered by the eight exceptions provided for in the bill, can go to the tax authorities and request an audit.

“What we are saying is that all those who protest will have the opportunity to go and prove it to the tax authorities. We are not targeting anyone,” he said.

Asked if there is a case for changes to the bill, he said that “we will make improvements by listening to comments in the context of a reasonable discussion and common experience”, however he added that he still does not know what the changes will be, as contacts with the agencies are ongoing.

“There will be interventions in the bill while keeping its philosophy,” he said characteristically and continued: “The majority of society supports the intervention, the debate has been going on for years, it was time to do it, it sends a message of social justice.”

He added that from the regulation the state is looking forward to additional revenues of 600 million euros per year, which will go towards increased spending on hospitals and education.

“It is impossible to put a tax officer next to every taxpayer, nor to eliminate tax evasion, we are taking some steps” he added.