The Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) begins its new term of office – the second for 2015 – with property tax shocks bound to create havoc to the budgets of millions of Greek households.

Even prior to receiving a vote of confidence on Wednesday, the new government is planning the following:

1) Income tax notices are being posted on Monday. Even tax clearances that have already been paid will be charged extra for the special contribution that had been voted on August 15. Farmers and self-employed professionals will be the first to feel the pinch.

2) The Ministry of Finance will take back the tax exemption made for rents that had not been collected. This means that homeowners leasing out their homes will pay tax on money that their tenants had never paid them!

3) Joint property tax (ENFIA) statements are to be sent out next week, without any of the discounts that the government had promised. ENFIA will be calculated according to the exorbitant 2007 zone prices that no longer apply, despite the judicial ruling to the contrary.

4) At the end of October/start of November, the Ministry of Finance is expected to decide on new rules for taxes on money recieved from rent that is to apply from January 1, 2016. Those who lease homes are bracing themselves for the worst.

5) Families with school-aged children will pay 23% for private schools and institutions. This means that the price will be higher for parents who foot the bill of their children’s music lessons, foreign languages or extra tuition that is mandatory for studnets wishing to pass the Panhellenic Exams (bearing in mind that state schools are unable to cover the exorbitant syllabus).