25 govt reforms expected to yield 6.1 bln euros

The Financial Times revealed the measures that Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis is planning so that the government can gather funds

The government’s list of reforms were outlined in a 26-page document presented to Greece’s international creditors. The reforms foresee yields worth 4.7-6.1 bln euros for the 2015 budget, according to a Financial Times report. On the other hand, expenditure will be at 1.1 bln euros, including a bonus to supplement low-income pensions.

The Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) government’s measures promise to increase the primary surplus from 1.2% of the GDP without the measures to 3.1-3.9% of the GDP. This year’s GDP is foreseen at 1.4% and next year’s 2016 will be at 2.9%. The measures also pledge to drop documented unemployment from 23.4% levels to 21.1% in 2016.

The list of reforms, titled “Greek Reforms in the Context of the 20/02/2015 Eurogroup Agreement”, in a nutshell:

1) Changes to tax index with the non-taxable amount, increases to middle/high incomes and the abolition of tax exemptions for those who have high assets.A streamlined tax code is expected to be from 300-400 mln euros.

2) Digital applications at point of sales (e.g. hairdressers’ cashiers) with on line systems that would allow greater surveillance by the State so as to ensure that the required receipts are being given.

3) Tax increase for luxury cars, yachts and swimming pools in the second half of 2015 (expected to yield 20 mln euros).

4) Extrajudicial settlement for 64,000 taxpayers who have taken recourse to courts to invalidate tax fines from 2014 but whose hearing have not begun. 33% will be offered discounts of up to 50% to end their dipute without further court action (expected to bring in 100-200 mln euros).

5) Fight against VAT fraud with social network analysis software (expected to bring in 350-420 mln euros)

6) The implementation of TV advertisement tax legislation (to yield 50-70 mln euros).

7) Harsher sanctions against those who deliberately evade taxes, regardless as to whether they are linked to the Public Sector.

8) Introduction of a digital electronic payment system so that business and retail transactions carried out through credit or debit cards can automatically separate VAT amounts and transfer these to the State.

9) Introduction of a VAT lottery system to reward customers who get receipts by putting them in a draw with prizes (270-600 mln euros).

10) An extension of electronic confiscation to bank safety deposit boxes.

11) Rewarding conscientious tax payers with bonuses.

12) Increasing entry tickets to museums and archeological sites (expected to yield 5-10 mln euros)

13) Intensifying audits on lists (e.g. Lagarde, Lichtenstein, etc.) concerning bank transfers and offshore companies (expected revenues to be yielded are from 725-875 mln euros).

14) Public tenders/auctions for TV licenses from 350-380 mln euros).

15) A 100-installment scheme for tax and social security arrears (expected to bring in 300-400 mln euros).

16) Improvement to the state revenue collection mechanism (225-235 mln euros).

17) Regulation from e-gambling/gambling (125-175 mln euros)

18) Strengthening legislation for transactions within corporations (expected to yield 40-60 mln euros).

19) Administrative dispute settlement on property taxation in cases of donations, inheritance etc. and statutes of limitation (50-70 mln euros)

20) Combatting tax evation by self-employed professionals (20-30 mln euros).

21) 200-210 mln euros for the alignment of public administration with European law.

22) 300 mln euros for the settlement of debt with insurance funds.

23) 50 mln euros from new legislation concerning debt to Funds.

24) 150-300 mln euros from the reinforcement of the state mechanisms.

25) 10 mln euros from fund mergers.