Freelance professionals and self-employed scientists declaring ‘high income’ will be forced to pay up to 200% more in taxes from the start of 2017, according to the provisions in the new law! The Hellenic Confederation of Commerce & Entrepreneurship (ESEE) goes even further, claiming the hikes could reach up to a staggering 300% in some cases. These categories of employees will have to fork out an aggregate of nearly 38% of their annual for social security coverage and taxes! More specifically, they will contribute 20% of their taxable income to their main pension; 6.95% for health care coverage; and wherever applicable, another 7% for ancillary pensions and 4% for lump sums. An indicative example is a professional earning 30,000 Euros, who will have to pay 8,085 under the new provisions, compared to 4,464 up till now. Someone with an annual income of 70,000 Euros will be called upon to pay 18,865 Euros, as opposed to 5,788 Euros he paid under the previous law, an incredible 225% rise. On the other hand, freelance professionals and self-employed professionals on the low income spectrum (up to 12,000 Euros annually) will benefit with the new law, as they would see a 44% reduction in their taxes.