Greece Hotels Under Public Revenue Authority Scrutiny

Greece’s independent Authority for Public Revenue said it would begin inspections of hotel businesses across the country in efforts to curb tax evasion.

The public body’s inspectors will cross check whether entrepreneurs in the hospitality sector are declaring income earned from summer months and paying corresponding VAT.

The procedure will include on-site inspections at 2,500 hotel units across Greece – the earthquake-hit islands of Lesvos and Kos are exempt – out of a total of 25,000 facilities. Authorities will conduct inspections at a representative sample of 10 percent of all units based on gross revenue, years of operation, destination popularity as well as history of previous tax offenses.

Data collection procedures have already been completed for the current two-month period and results on turnover will be compared against figures reported in tax return forms. The same procedure will be followed for the months of August and September.

The tax squad will then collect data on prices, vacancies and online bookings.