The Minister of National Economy and Finance, Kostis Hatzidakis, sent three strict messages, for the intensity of controls on the big… “fish” of the market, for decisive moves in fuel smuggling and for delay and no tolerance, in relation to the installation of POS, who went up to the floor of the plenary a while ago.

Mr. Hatzidakis underlined that from now on the control mechanism gives weight to the arrest of tax evasion carried out by the “biggest and biggest fish” of the market.

“From now on, our burden, both at the Ministry of Finance and at the ADAE, falls on the controls. Controls in relation to those who challenge the presumption and they must prove to us that they live much lower. We want these checks to be done very quickly. Controls in relation to the indirect control techniques – they are in the bill – which are strengthened and expanded so as to basically target large tax evasion – companies which also show that they have been living for years with losses. I want this message to be received by those to whom it is addressed: we are a large popular party and we look in all directions, in relation to tax evasion”, said Mr. Hatzidakis and added that even with the interventions of the bill, human rights will be freed ADAE resources to “target the control mechanism at bigger and bigger fish”.

However, the Minister of National Economy and Finances left a strong message in relation to smuggling. “What we pass in the bill is not for show. The situation is extremely bad. The government and I personally are determined to deal with the matter with the rigor that it should, with the objectivity but also with the rigor that it should and this concerns all involved, especially all those who from time to time occupy the public, with various nice headlines, and you all understand what I want to say”, said the Minister of National Economy and Finance and underlined that the government is determined to be absolutely strict, to apply the law but also to exert all possible pressure, where necessary, to advance the input-output system . “That is why we also impose obligations on the oil companies themselves, but any gaps that exist must be addressed, immediately, without delay, because it is indeed not positive for our country that I started the input-output system in 2009, as Minister of Development , so many governments have passed, steps forward have been made, I don’t want to level them, but the system is not yet complete and there are still gaps. I see them, I get personally irritated, I am indignant and for this reason, I stand by this message. And I will not stay with the indignation of course… Let me make it clear to everyone”, said the Minister of Finance.

At the same time, Mr. Hatzidakis sent the message that there will be no delay and no tolerance, in relation to the installation of the POS. In this direction, a working group is being set up that will involve the ministry, the AEA, market players in order to proceed with the installation, especially since the system has been included in the Recovery Fund and the financing of the country should not be put at risk, “because one pretends that his back hurts, the other says his back hurts and the third because Christmas came and then New Year’s. I want to be clear, said Mr. Hatzidakis and added that the POS will be implemented and there is no way to do otherwise.

The government wants to be reliable and efficient, it wants to look towards all sides of society, and it will not caress a certain professional group, ignoring problems that exist elsewhere, said the Minister of National Economy and Finance and added that the government with the bill , utilizing the technical tools, practices of other countries, will result in limiting tax evasion.

Mr. Hatzidakis expressed his belief that what will remain, after the unfair complaining, is that this great reform will prove to be a reform of social justice.

The total interventions of the bill (interventions in VAT, in the system of taxation of self-employed professionals, short-term leases, smuggling and real estate), as the Minister of Finance said, it is estimated that until 2027, they will yield revenues from limiting tax evasion that will they approach 3 billion euros (note: of these, about 500 million will come from the imputed to freelancers). “This is the government’s account,” said Mr. Hatzidakis and added that these revenues will finance health and education.