Commission says private school VAT breaks rules

The interim government has until Monday to decide on whether to scrap the 23 percent value-added tax on private education, following a letter from the European Commission on Friday warning that the levy introduced earlier this summer clashes with European Union regulations, sources told Kathimerini.

The levy is expected to push tuition fees at cramming schools and private educational institutions up by as much as 2,000 euros per year.

According to sources, newly appointed Deputy Finance Minister Tryfon Alexiadis has agreed to lift the tax but is looking at measures to offset the revenue losses.

Private schools have until Monday to declare their VAT status.