Greek Tax Authority Starts Audits, Penalties and 72‑Month Debt Plan

The Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) extended the 2026 income‑tax filing deadline to 24 July. After the deadline, AADE will launch a large‑scale digital cross‑check of the more than 6.4 million returns already filed, targeting undeclared income such as bank interest, dividends, property earnings, retroactive wages and foreign income.

Penalties are tiered: a 10 % surcharge on the tax shortfall when the discrepancy is 5‑20 % of the declared tax, 25 % for 20‑50 % differences, and up to 50 % of the additional tax if the shortfall exceeds 50 %. Interest of 0.73 % per month accrues on unpaid tax. Taxpayers may submit a corrective filing without penalty until the 24 July deadline.

AADE also introduced a 72‑installment repayment scheme for overdue tax debts that became due by 31 December 2023. Eligible individuals must have no other restructuring, have filed returns for the past five years, and have no final conviction for tax evasion. The plan requires a minimum €30 monthly payment, with the first installment due within three business days of application via the myAADE portal; late payments trigger a 15 % monthly surcharge.

In addition, a one‑time measure allows the release of bank accounts seized for tax debts if the taxpayer pays at least 25 % of the debt and meets other conditions, aiming to balance revenue collection with relief for affected citizens.