Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Wednesday praised a surge in tax compliance, with official data showing a 150% jump in income tax declarations during the first 23 days of the filing period compared to last year.
During a visit to the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), Mr. Mitsotakis attributed the increase to a combination of early-submission incentives and stricter deadlines.
"Over one million citizens have already responded," he said, urging more taxpayers to take advantage of a 4% discount for filing by April 30.
According to AADE, 1,155,685 individual tax declarations were submitted by April 8—up from 462,565 during the same period in 2024 and 236,853 in 2023.
This year, the government introduced a non-negotiable deadline of July 15 and a tiered discount system offering up to 4% for early and full payment by the end of July.
Mr. Mitsotakis stressed the government's commitment to firm deadlines, stating that "clear rules" are essential for a reliable and modern tax system.
"It’s clear now that the process is becoming orderly, and the incentives are meaningful," he said during a presentation led by AADE Chief Giorgos Pitsilis, alongside Minister of National Economy and Finance Kyriakos Pierrakakis and Deputy Minister Giorgos Kotsiras.
The spike in filings also reflects a 100,000 increase in pre-filled returns, now covering more than 1.5 million taxpayers.
Officials credited this to last year’s requirement for all public bodies to register with AADE's electronic registry and submit payroll data promptly, subject to fines for noncompliance.
Government officials highlighted that nearly 94% of tax refunds and offsets from individual filings have been processed, emphasizing the improved efficiency of public revenue services.
AADE is expected to continue expanding digital services, streamlining taxpayer interactions, and intensifying market audits to combat tax evasion.
Mr. Mitsotakis characterized the developments as a sign of renewed trust and accountability between citizens and the state.