Der Spiegel (Germany) describes tactics by Greek authorities to trackdown tax cheats there.

Der Spiegel (Germany) describes tactics by Greek authorities to track
down tax cheats there.

"In a bid to increase revenues, the Greek authorities are employing
all kinds of clever tricks to crack down on tax cheats, including
using Google Earth to find undeclared swimming pools..

...And these tactics have revealed that the suburbs didn't have 324
swimming pools, as was reported, but rather 16,974.

Tax fraud investigators spent a number of weeks on nightclub parking
lots in Athens and noted down the registration numbers of luxury
sedans. Their investigation revealed that approximately 6,000 car
owners have vehicles worth €100,000, but only reported to the tax
authorities that they have an annual income of €10,000.

"We are making it increasingly difficult to cheat," says Kapeleris.
"And we are making sure that not just the small fish but also the big
fish get caught in the net."....."

google it for the whole article from Der Spiegel.

Reported elsewhe

"Greece is one of the OECD countries with the highest tax burden on
labour..."


"Greece’s Problem Is High Tax Rates,.... "

Think Laffer's Curve People!

On 11/4/2011 9:37 AM, PeeJayO'd wrote:
Der Spiegel (Germany) describes tactics by Greek authorities to track
down tax cheats there.

"In a bid to increase revenues, the Greek authorities are employing
all kinds of clever tricks to crack down on tax cheats, including
using Google Earth to find undeclared swimming pools..

...And these tactics have revealed that the suburbs didn't have 324
swimming pools, as was reported, but rather 16,974.

Tax fraud investigators spent a number of weeks on nightclub parking
lots in Athens and noted down the registration numbers of luxury
sedans. Their investigation revealed that approximately 6,000 car
owners have vehicles worth €100,000, but only reported to the tax
authorities that they have an annual income of €10,000.

"We are making it increasingly difficult to cheat," says Kapeleris.
"And we are making sure that not just the small fish but also the big
fish get caught in the net."....."

google it for the whole article from Der Spiegel.

Reported elsewhe

"Greece is one of the OECD countries with the highest tax burden on
labour..."


"Greece’s Problem Is High Tax Rates,...."

Think Laffer's Curve People!

Perhaps others can confirm or deny that France used to set tax bills
based on apparent worth and it was up to the payer to try to disprove
the estimate. Sounds about right for Greece!

--


James Silverton, Potomac

I'm *not*

On 11/04/2011 03:20 PM, James Silverton wrote:
On 11/4/2011 9:37 AM, PeeJayO'd wrote:
Der Spiegel (Germany) describes tactics by Greek authorities to track
down tax cheats there.

"In a bid to increase revenues, the Greek authorities are employing
all kinds of clever tricks to crack down on tax cheats, including
using Google Earth to find undeclared swimming pools..

...And these tactics have revealed that the suburbs didn't have 324
swimming pools, as was reported, but rather 16,974.

Tax fraud investigators spent a number of weeks on nightclub parking
lots in Athens and noted down the registration numbers of luxury
sedans. Their investigation revealed that approximately 6,000 car
owners have vehicles worth €100,000, but only reported to the tax
authorities that they have an annual income of €10,000.

"We are making it increasingly difficult to cheat," says Kapeleris.
"And we are making sure that not just the small fish but also the big
fish get caught in the net."....."

google it for the whole article from Der Spiegel.

Reported elsewhe

"Greece is one of the OECD countries with the highest tax burden on
labour..."


"Greece’s Problem Is High Tax Rates,...."

Think Laffer's Curve People!

Perhaps others can confirm or deny that France used to set tax bills
based on apparent worth and it was up to the payer to try to disprove
the estimate. Sounds about right for Greece!


I believe that in Italy it's still possible to negotiate your income
tax. In other words, if you declare any income at all, the tax office
will agree to leave you alone.

"Tom P" wrote in message
...

I believe that in Italy it's still possible to negotiate your income tax.
In other words, if you declare any income at all, the tax office will
agree to leave you alone.

My sister-in-law in the transport department says nobody could find any
record of the parking ticket you got last week, Mr Brambilla.

Well that's a stroke of luck. By the way, the investigation of your tax
affairs seems to have been closed, Mrs Rossi.

On Fri, 4 Nov 2011, Tom P wrote:

I believe that in Italy it's still possible to negotiate your income
tax. In other words, if you declare any income at all, the tax office
will agree to leave you alone.

Incorrect.

Definitely incorrect for all employed people. Taxes (and pension
contributions) are paid AT THE SOURCE by your employer. You will get
only the net salary. You will then receive a CUD form with the details
every year (around March). If you have further incomes, or if you have
expensed to deduct, you might present a tax declaration. Most people do
that with the 730 form, which is formally validated by a CAF (Fiscal
Assistance Centre). If there are any more taxes to be paid, or
reimbursements to be done, these are regulated by your employer with the
august salary.

It can be different for self-employed people, shopkeepers, doctors,
lawyers, entrepreneurs etc. They cannot use the 730 form but only the
longer UNICO form. I do not know the details, but there is a forfait
regime for starters of an economic activity (simplified accounting), and
there are things called "sector studies". According to your activity,
location etc. there is a presumable income. If you declare less you are
sure to be checked.

Random checks by the revenue office are possible for both 730 and UNICO
taxpayers, but are rarer for the former.