Filenews 19 October 2024 - by Eleftheria Paizanou
Lavish weddings in Cyprus and abroad, to which distinguished guests flock and popular names of the Greek pentagram are called, with fees of thousands of euros, attracted the interest of the Tax Department.
Similarly, other events, with expensive decorations and menus worth thousands of euros, as well as public admissions and statements -in podcasts- of some influencers about the earnings they have from their "business" activity through various applications and electric platforms. Also, posts and photos of Cypriots from exotic destinations, inside luxury yachts or hotels, the display of expensive clothes, jewellery, accessories and many other behaviours that fall within the limits of provocation.
For several months now, officials of the Tax Department have been checking the posts of influencers and other celebrities who flaunt their wealth on Instagram, You Tube, Facebook and TikTok, to see whether they declare income according to their behaviour. In addition to the ex officio examination, very often the Tax Department receives relevant complaints from other citizens, which are investigated. Some of them turn out to be true and others to have no basis.
Their source is social media
According to information provided by "F", a special team of officers set up at the Tax Department monitors social media daily. As soon as it detects provocative behaviour of Cypriots or taxpayers residing in Cyprus, it sieves the income declarations of these persons to determine if they evade taxes.
As "F" is informed, secular weddings that took place on the island were examined, in which Greek singers participated, whose remuneration ranges from €50,000-€80,000 for an appearance. There was also an audit of the incomes of taxpayers who declared low incomes, which can hardly justify the cost of the lavish events they organize (including weddings and christenings abroad) they celebrated.
Taxpayers who went from island to island on thousands of euros yachts and who advertised the luxury they enjoyed were also checked. The Tax Department was also summoned to persons who declare through the internet that they have high income from their activities on social media platforms. Some of them were found to have a number of companies in their names, for which they did not declare all their revenues.
They had black money
A competent source told "F" that many cases were detected of taxpayers advertising their wealth on social media, without it corresponding to their declared income.
We were told that provocative behaviours and the display of wealth that are not consistent with the tax file of individuals do not and will not go unnoticed. As we were told, in fact, in several cases the Department proceeded to impose fines for not submitting tax returns, on the occasion of these investigations.
