Despite the initial announcement rewarding those who identify and report fake or unsubmitted receipts, the bonus of up to €3,000 remains inactive. The delay in implementing the measure is mainly due to two reasons: protecting whistleblowers’ personal data and the ineffectiveness of complaints submitted so far.

The Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) app “Appodixi” serves as a tool to combat tax evasion, allowing citizens to scan the QR code on receipts to check if they have been registered in AADE’s electronic system. In cases of violations, users can submit a complaint either anonymously or under their real name. However, the financial reward incentive that had been announced has not yet been activated, as AADE has not completed the technical specifications needed to ensure whistleblower anonymity and the secure distribution of the bonus.

Although tens of thousands of complaints have been submitted through the app, none of the named reports—those eligible for a reward—have led to a substantial discovery of tax violations.

Public participation, however, is already high, as by the end of 2024, more than 300,000 users had installed the app, with 43,635 reports of suspicious receipts submitted. In total, 74,944 complaints were related to tax and customs violations, with 31,309 of these officially recorded in AADE’s electronic platform.

According to the initial plan, citizens who report fake receipts could receive a reward of up to 10 times the value of the receipt, with a maximum limit of €2,000, while in special cases, the bonus could reach up to €3,000.

The financial reward does not fall under any category of income and is exempt from all taxes, deductions, fees, or contributions to the state, social security funds, public legal entities, or third parties. It is non-transferable and cannot be seized by the state or any third party, overriding any other provision. It is not subject to liens and cannot be offset against confirmed debts to the state, public legal entities, local government bodies and their subsidiaries, insurance funds, or financial institutions. Additionally, it is not considered in income thresholds for receiving any social or welfare benefits.