Bigger fines, not closures for no receipt issue

Fines of up to 5,000 euros will be the penalty – instead of shutdowns – that tax inspectors will impose on lawyers, doctors, hoteliers, private tuition establishments etc found not to have issued receipts, according to a decision signed by Deputy Finance Minister Katerina Papanatsiou.

The ministerial decision removes the threat of 48-hour shutdowns in favor of increasing fines for the aforementioned categories of professionals. In cases of the incorrect issue or non-issue of more than 10 receipts upon inspection by the authorities, the decision provides for a fine of between 1,000 and 2,500 euros. The same applies if the undeclared amount exceeds 500 euros.

In case of a repeat offense concerning at least three receipts by the same professionals over the course of a single financial year, the fines imposed grow to 2,500-5,000 euros, but without suspending their operations, as remains the case for other professional categories.

If the professional is found to have repeated the offense in the next two years, a special penalty of 5,000 euros will be imposed, according to the decision.