Greek Inspectors Hit the Beach to Tackle Tax Evasion

In efforts to tackle tax evasion, particularly rampant in the summer months, Greek tax inspectors are making surprise “visits” at businesses on islands and at popular tourist areas, the General Secretariat of Public Revenue announced, adding that it also had plans to boost the number of inspectors in high-incident areas.

The on-site checks across Greece, with a particular focus on tourist areas, are aimed at combating tax evasion, ensuring tax compliance including the issue of receipts, and securing lost government revenue.

The inspections, which will run for three months through to September 30, will be unannounced and can take place at any time of the day or night on any day at businesses including beach bars and cafes, restaurants, entertainment venues, etc.

Secretary General for Public Revenue Giorgos Pitsilis said additional tax inspectors would be covering Corfu, Syros, Santorini, Paros, Naxos, Mykonos, Kos, Rhodes and Polygyros, as well as in the Public Revenues and Surveillance Services of Thessaloniki for the months of July, August and September.