International Tax, Audit, Accounting and Legal News – Issue 12 (January 2017)

Most important Tax amendments introduced by Law 4446/2016 and Voluntary Disclosure Program (VDP)

Published in the Official Government Gazette A ’240/22.12.2016 Law 4446/2016, which, inter alia, concerning the Voluntary Disclosure Program of undeclared funds, introduces measures designed to encourage tax payers using electronic payment methods rather than cash, amendments to Bankruptcy Code, Administrative Justice, Duties-Fees, amendments to Law 4270/2014 and other provisions. The most important changes are summarized as follows:

Voluntary Disclosure Program (VDP)

Greek Tax payers are allowed to report undeclared income or income declared incompletely or incorrectly. Taxpayers may participate in the VDP by filing the relevant tax returns or statements starting from 22 December 2016 until 31 May 2017. Additionally, no other fines will be imposed nor are other administrative or criminal penalties triggered for the filed returns, while any enforcement measures taken will be withdrawn. The main features of the above mentioned program are summarized as follows:

Scope of Program

The returns or statements can relate to any tax, duty or contribution included in the Code of Tax Procedures (e.g. income tax, gift tax, inheritance tax, VAT, real estate tax, special solidarity tax, etc.), regardless of the statute of limitation. The VDP will apply on the condition that the deadline for filing the initial tax return expired on or before 30 September 2016.