goinggreek.info
To Kafeneion => Grapevine / News Briefs => Topic started by: Maik on Friday, 26 February, 2016 @ 02:31:30
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Minister instructs hospitals to treat uninsured patients
The process of providing free healthcare to patients who have not recently earned social security credits got under way on Thursday.
Health Minister Andreas Xanthos issued instructions to state hospitals to provide medicines, tests and treatment to uninsured patients without charge.
According to ministerial decisions in 2014, uninsured Greeks could claim free healthcare if they could prove they could not afford it, while they could also obtain medicines under the same terms as those insured with EOPYY, meaning they would have to pay 1 euro for each prescription as well as part of the cost of the drugs.
http://www.ekathimerini.com/206361/article/ekathimerini/news/minister-instructs-hospitals-to-treat-uninsured-patients
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Three pct of Greeks pay 42 pct of income tax
Forty-two percent of the income tax that is collected every year is paid by just 3 percent of taxpayers, according to figures published by the General Secretariat of Public Revenue.
This 3 percent corresponds to the 267,480 taxpayers who declare annual incomes of over 30,000 euros, totaling 35 billion euros.
If the Finance Ministry’s latest plan materializes, these taxpayers will be paying around 60 percent tax on their income after factoring in the solidarity levy, while the remaining taxpayers enjoy a reduction.
Critics of the plan say it shows that instead focusing on combating tax evasion, authorities are instead taking the easy path of overtaxation.
The secretariat’s data also show that 1,176,043 taxpayers paid no tax whatsoever last year, while 1,304,634 declared annual incomes of up to 1,000 euros. Even more striking is the fact that almost 50 percent of all taxpayers, or 3.98 million, declare annual incomes below 5,000 euros, which may on the surface show the extent poverty has reached in Greece, but also points to the size of tax evasion.
http://www.ekathimerini.com/206372/article/ekathimerini/business/three-pct-of-greeks-pay-42-pct-of-income-tax
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UK Removes Air Tax for Teenagers from March 1
Most airlines and travel companies have refunded or will refund APD on flights for under 16s that were booked and paid for before the reductions come into effect. Holidaymakers should contact their travel company or airline to find out more.
http://news.gtp.gr/2016/02/25/uk-removes-air-tax-teenagers-march-1/
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Sounds as though PNO will call another strike, likely to affect all ferries but no date as yet.
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Cost of most popular mortgage deals to fall below 1pc
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/consumer-affairs/cost-of-most-popular-mortgage-deals-to-fall-below-1pc/
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Asian sex abusers to be stripped of UK citizenship and deported
Exclusive: Theresa May to broaden use of anti-terrorism powers in response to uncovering of Asian sex abuse gangs
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/asian-sex-abusers-to-be-stripped-of-uk-citizenship-and-deported-a6896051.html
Wonder if it will actually happen or if it's pre-referendum waffle.
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Heard the municipality have agreed to accept an insurance payout of 620,000€ for 2014 earthquake damage to Argostoli Municipal Theatre, Lixouri Municipal Theatre and the old town hall in Lixouri.
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Heard work has recommenced on the main road between Myrtos - Fiskardo in preparation for the new iron bridge, work supposed to be completed by end of May, not sure if that's the prep work for the bridge or the whole lot.
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Police seize 1 mln euros' worth of antiquities from three suspects
http://www.ekathimerini.com/206393/article/ekathimerini/news/police-seize-1-mln-euros-worth-of-antiquities-from-three-suspects
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Migration crisis seen damaging tourism
The uncontrolled flow of refugees and migrants to Greece is putting such pressure on Greek tourism that is posing a direct threat to the national economy.
The cancellation of hotel reservations and flight bookings, as well as the reduction in scheduled routes by cruise companies for this tourism season, are the first tangible consequences for the island destinations that are bearing the brunt of the huge migrant flows.
Hoteliers have resorted to slashing prices and advertising special offers in a bid to bolster demand.
Lesvos Hoteliers Association president Periklis Antoniou told Kathimerini that the decline in bookings for this season reaches up to 90 percent from some markets.
http://www.ekathimerini.com/206409/article/ekathimerini/business/migration-crisis-seen-damaging-tourism
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George Osborne warns of further spending cuts in Budget
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-35672158
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Three pct of Greeks pay 42 pct of income tax
Forty-two percent of the income tax that is collected every year is paid by just 3 percent of taxpayers, according to figures published by the General Secretariat of Public Revenue.
This 3 percent corresponds to the 267,480 taxpayers who declare annual incomes of over 30,000 euros, totaling 35 billion euros.
If the Finance Ministry’s latest plan materializes, these taxpayers will be paying around 60 percent tax on their income after factoring in the solidarity levy, while the remaining taxpayers enjoy a reduction.
Critics of the plan say it shows that instead focusing on combating tax evasion, authorities are instead taking the easy path of overtaxation.
The secretariat’s data also show that 1,176,043 taxpayers paid no tax whatsoever last year, while 1,304,634 declared annual incomes of up to 1,000 euros. Even more striking is the fact that almost 50 percent of all taxpayers, or 3.98 million, declare annual incomes below 5,000 euros, which may on the surface show the extent poverty has reached in Greece, but also points to the size of tax evasion.
No doubt this probably also relates to the Ex-pats, who, of course being British, pay all their taxes!
http://www.ekathimerini.com/206372/article/ekathimerini/business/three-pct-of-greeks-pay-42-pct-of-income-tax
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No doubt this probably also relates to the Ex-pats, who, of course being British, pay all their taxes!
I sometimes wonder about that. On the one hand, Brits are generally law abiding (?) and pay their taxes, although that probably doesn't apply to all small-business owners, just as here. And I get the impression most of us in Greece want to abide by the laws of the land and do our bit to help Greece.
On the other hand... there's an almost natural inclination to avoid paying taxes and... if we pay all our taxes are we really 'fitting in'?
Not that I'm asking anyone to state whether they pay all their taxes, it's just something I ponder sometimes.
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Personally, I would rather 'do the right thing', as I really wouldn't like the idea of being prosecuted, let alone in a foreign country. What the locals do is up to them, at least I can go to bed and sleep easy.
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... if we pay all our taxes are we really 'fitting in'?
:lol:
Sorry Maik this is a serious thread for ex-pats (which I'm not) but it was a bit too tempting. :)
Perhaps another thing to bear in mind is if the political climate changes towards the ex-pats. "Foreigners taking our benefits/health tourists" isn't just a British sentiment. Plus what happens if we vote "no" in the neverendum. Brits could be seen as a soft target.
Tony
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No, seriously, I sometimes wonder if the Greeks think we're a bit daft if we don't evade taxes. 'Soft touch', you might say.
The possibility that, in the event of a pro exit vote, we'll be less welcome by the nationalists (and some definitely have that mentality, even if they come across as lovely, welcoming people when you enter 'their' establishment) has crossed my mind but I don't think it'll be much of an issue. The Albanians, Bulgarians, Romanians, Ukranians, etc generally arrive with little, work hard and save / send some back home. The Brits generally put cash into Greece and don't take a great deal out, winter 'dole' has to be earned in advance, etc. I'm sure they'll still be happy to take advantage of any soft Brits willing to pay over the odds for land/property.
"Neverendum" :pml:
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There is not a cat in hells chance of the UK leaving the EU! the corrupt UK government will rig the vote to make sure of the result. Too many MPs on the Europe gravy train.
In any case it wont really matter, ok the E111 will get scrapped, but the Greeks will still welcome you with an open wallet, sorry, they will still welcome you and Your wallet! They know that the Brits have work done and actually pay, usually in cash, which helps their hobby of tax evasion.
Brits were welcome before Greek joined the EU, they will still be welcome if Britland ducks out, anyone with money to spend will be welcome :welcome: