Charity NGO struggles to pay its taxes

The Greek branch of SOS Children’s Villages said Monday that property taxes and changes to its tax status have hit the relief efforts of the charity organization.

In a statement Monday, Giorgos Protopapas, director of SOS Children’s Villages Greece, said that the organization, which is not granted state subsidies, was asked to pay 73,750 euros in tax on property that does not generate any revenues.

Under new regulations, he said, the interest on donations is regarded as profit and is therefore subject to a 26 percent tax, up from the previous 15 percent.

“Hefty taxation on the country’s charity organizations jeopardizes their programs and deprives socially vulnerable groups of basic care and protection services,” it said.