An increase in electronic transactions of 30% in 2022 compared to the previous year (2021) and 63% compared to 2019 led to a reduction tax avoidance and in reducing VAT losses. Pay culture with use of cards which is largely due to the health crisis, led to a significant increase in government revenues, as well as timely payments.

According to data provided by the Minister of Finance Chr. staikourasthere is an increase in the collection of personal income tax, by almost 6.5 p.p. compared to 2018 and an increase in the share of timely payments under UNFIA and VAT, up to 3 p.p. compared to 2018.

Tax cuts, obviously, had a positive effect on the increase in collection, but basically the fact that now most of the citizens pay exclusively with cards or electronic banking.

However, what the financial staff failed to do was convince the taxpayers proof from certain occupational groups such as plumbers, electricians, hairdressers etc. despite the fact that they were granted tax deductions of up to 2200 euros if they paid for the above with cards. At the same time, the incentive to double the cost of receipts (30% of transactions must be made electronically) of doctors, ophthalmologists, etc. did not work.

These categories still have a high level of tax evasion and for this reason the incentives will be overrated, but above all, all these professional groups will be required to have POS.

The time has come for the next step, which mandates the use of POS across all occupational groups, according to Treasury officials. Basically, POS covers all economic activity, which will happen in the first half of the year after the national elections. There are professions that avoid the use of cards, such as kindergartens, taxis, real estate agencies, while there are more than 130 industries in which the number of professionals working in them does not exceed 10 per industry in which there is a POS.

Industries that insist on cash:

• 3,011 taxis have POS, while there are more than 15,000 taxis in Attica and Thessaloniki alone. POS transactions in 2021 amounted to 18.3 million euros.

• Only 393 brokerages have and use POS, while there are over 3,000 brokers in Athens alone. The amount of transactions amounted to 13.4 million euros.

• Only 671 nurseries and kindergartens across the country have POS. Card transactions last year amounted to 7.6 million euros.

• 15 trucking companies used or used POS in the last year. Card transactions reached 106,356 euros.

• 1,319 plumbers used POS last year. The amount of transactions amounted to 15.95 million euros.

• 1,153 electricians have a POS. Card transactions reached 15.49 million euros.