By Chrysostomos Tsoufis

The most “talked about” benefit package of the last several years is expected to unfold on Saturday from the stage of the TIF, the prime minister. Those expecting announcements of billions will have to temper their expectations considerably as reports say that Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ (new) announcements will not exceed the €500 million.

Among these new measures:

– The extension of the market pass until the end of the year
-The personal difference allowance for pensioners who will not see increases in their pocket from the New Year due to the tax from the prefecture of Katrougalou
-Some small fixes to the heating allowance
-Continuation of subsidizing electricity bills until the end of the year.

According to the information of skai.gr, the famous punctuality check is NOT expected to be given this year to low-pensioners, elderly uninsured and the disabled, as was done in previous years.

Of course, the prime minister in his speech will refer to the second – after last year’s – increase in the main pensions since the New Year in the region of 4% as well as the new increase in the minimum wage. The procedures to determine it will start immediately after the time change.

Special reference will also be made to the already voted measures with entry into force from the New Year of 2024 such as the new salary scale in the State, the increase in the tax-free allowance for families with children, the 10% reduction in ENFIA for insured properties and the youthpass.

However, in the greater part of his speech, the prime minister will unfold the initiatives that the government will undertake in the next period in the fight against tax evasion which, according to the calculations of the Ministry of Finance, costs the public coffers €8-10 billion every year. All the government officials we spoke to confirmed that some of the measures the prime minister will announce will cause a particular sensation. Tax evasion is the government’s big bet as cracking down on (even) part of it will secure important public space for a much wider package of benefits and tax reliefs not only in the next TIF but in the next year.

The Minister of Finance, Kostis Hatzidakis, sent guiding shots from the floor of the Parliament, who commented that “we will not go (to the issue of tax evasion) with prayers and roses but with targeted measures. Between them :

-The POS – Cashier connection which is characterized as a flagship
-New tax framework for freelancers
– Incentives to increase electronic transactions
– Redefining the evidence collection framework. The reward for scanning receipts will finally proceed with the parameters to be finalized in the coming days.
-Increased and better targeting of controls. Cross-checking of the incomes, mainly of freelancers who declare up to €10,000, is already underway, with all the data available to AADE, and those caught in the crosshairs will also be subject to a physical check.

The government has chosen for another reason not to raise the bar of expectations this year. It is very possible that Kyriakos Mitsotakis will travel to Thessaloniki with the investment grade in his suitcase!!! On Friday, the Canadian house DBRS – the largest after the big 3 in the USA – will “decide” which is recognized by the ECB and the chances, even marginally, are on the side of the country.

And the last thing he would want to send as a message to the international community – if the predictions come true – is that he is turning on the money taps after securing investment grade.