Taxpayers must boost card use or face fine

Taxpayers who fail to make online payments (by credit/debit card or e-banking) amounting to an increased rate of 30 percent of their declared incomes will pay a fine equal to 22 percent of the shortfall, Finance Minister Christos Staikouras told Skai TV late on Thursday.

He added that, as of 2020, the measure will apply not only to salary workers, pensioners and farmers, but also to freelance professionals and taxpayers who earn a living by renting out properties.

For example, a property landlord with an annual income of 10,000 euros will have to make online payments of 3,000 euros. If his online payments only come to 2,000 euros, the fine due will be 22 percent of the 1,000 euros of difference - i.e. 220 euros of extra tax.

The minister also revealed that ideas have been expressed about introducing incentives for taxpayers to demand online receipts from...