Scrap school VAT, demand parties

Finance Ministry officials Thursday continued to search for alternative measures to the government’s plans to add 23 percent value-added tax to private education as pressure from opposition parties grew for the measure to be abandoned.

New Democracy and Potami called Thursday on the caretaker government that will be installed today to issue a presidential decree scrapping the tax increase, which is projected to bring in 168 million euros this year and 250 million next year.

Kathimerini understands that the outgoing government was looking for alternative fiscal measures to avoid adding 23 percent VAT to fees at private schools and tuition centers, which were not subject to sales tax until now.

The measure has prompted protests from the schools and parents. More than 100,000 people have signed a petition opposing the tax so far.