Finance Minister, George Papakonstantinou (photo) on Friday visited the headquarters of the Financial Crime Enforcement Body (SDOE). He said that 6.000 cases of tax violations have been referred in the first 5 months in 2010 compared to 4.000 cases during the whole year in 2009. Confirmed fines have approached the sum of 1.5 billion euros till may compared against 700 million euros last year. Addressing Financial Enforcement Body officials, Mr. Papakonstantinou repeated that the government was determined to combat corruption and called all to cooperate in the battle against corruption and tax evasion and isolate their counterparts that are bribed.
(source: ana-mpa)
Reports say the Finance Ministry plans to strengthen SDOE with the transfer of personnel from other services.
Furthermore, the Finance Ministry has already drawn up a list of night clubs, bars and restaurants where inspections showed taxation violations. It is expected that strict fines provided by the new taxation bill will be activated soon leading even to closure of some 15-20 shops. Inspections will continue in summer placing emphasis on the most popular islands.
In the meantime, SDOE has recorded all swimming pools nationwide with the help of construction companies. It will soon start cross-examination to see which pools have permission and which not. Mr. Papakonstantinou underlined: “Our aim is to bring Justice” He also announced intensification of inspections in the next period to combat tax evasion .
Finance Ministry high ranking officials warned ones having bank accounts abroad to take advantage of present favourable terms for the repatriation of capital till November. After this date a mission will be launched to locate bank accounts of Greek depositors with the held of foreign banks.
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