In Athens, Greece, the tax authorities have transformed their operations through a new, ultra-modern headquarters built in a former shopping mall. This overhaul is aimed at revitalizing Greece’s fiscal sector, which struggled for years under debt. Using advanced technology, including drones and real-time data analysis, inspectors now efficiently pursue tax evasion across the country.
Giorgos Pichilis, the governor of the tax authority, emphasized the shift from a “data-free situation” to leveraging big data for monitoring millions of transactions. Greece is experiencing a financial turnaround, recently achieving a budget surplus and receiving upgrades in credit ratings as the government’s revenue continued to surpass targets.
Despite these advances, criticisms persist regarding equality, particularly with high national sales tax rates remaining in place since the financial crisis. The opposition argues that while tax collection improves, it does not alleviate growing inequality.
Tax compliance is on the rise, as seen in everyday business practices, with growing electronic transactions. By November, all businesses must accept instant payments through a new system, eliminating transaction fees for consumers. This transformation reflects a broader shift towards digitization and modernization within Greece’s economy, a trend that officials believe is irreversible and crucial for future growth.
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