According to the 4 tax changes recently presented by the Minister of Finance, Kostis Hatzidakis, from 2025 onwards, the rules for submitting tax returns will be predetermined, while additional incentives will be given for taxpayers to submit their declaration immediately.

At the same time, a constant request of accountants is being met: the abolition of extensions, allowing them to take summer vacations, as clear deadlines have been set.

From 2025, tax returns – for both individuals and legal entities – will be submitted from March 15 to July 15.

At the same time, discounts are provided for consistent taxpayers and penalties for government officials in case of negligence.

With these changes, the Ministry of National Economy and Finance aims to solve the problems of backlogs and extensions, based on proposals of the Greek Chamber of Commerce.

The incentives for the consistent

A discount is provided for those who pay the total amount of income tax by July 31 of each year, based on the date of submission of the return:

a) 4% discount for those who submit a declaration from March 15 to April 30.

b) 3% discount from May 1 to June 15.

c) 2% discount from June 16 to July 15.

In addition, the payment of the tax for natural and legal persons is fixed in 8 equal monthly installments, with the first installment being paid by July 31.

The sanctions

One of the big problems in the past was the errors and delays in sending data from the agencies to the AADE, resulting in the delay in starting the submission of the declarations or incorrect clearances, which obliged the taxpayers to make amending declarations.

To avoid these delays, penalties are established for managers of organizations, official secretaries of the State, general secretaries of Municipalities, as well as payroll managersin case they do not send the necessary data to AADE in time.

In particular, the AADE is creating an Electronic Register of Persons Obliged to Submit an Annual Income File for the pre-completion and submission of tax returns.

Registration in the Registry is mandatory and concerns organizations and public services that are required to send data to AADE. This data concerns earnings from salaried work, pensions, remuneration from business activity and taxes that have been withheld.

In case of untimely or inaccurate sending of the data, a fine of 2,500 euros is imposed on the responsible persons. The fine increases by 50 euros for each day of delay.

If the activation of the digital platform by AADE is delayed, the fine will be imposed on the Commander of AADE.