For years, 513 large debtors were hiding from the Tax Department, who owed tens of millions of euros in taxes. These were evaluated by the competent Department as high-risk taxpayers, as, despite their accumulated debts, they managed for years to deceive and play hide and seek with the tax authorities.
Last year, after coordinated planning, campaigns and raids by the competent authorities, the 513 major debtors, who had direct tax and VAT debts amounting to €44.1 million, were caught in the pincers of the Tax. In the last two years, the Tax Department identified a total of 1,059 large taxpayers, whom it managed to tax, collecting about €99.5 million for the state coffers.
In detail, in 2025, according to information from "F", the Office of Large Taxpayers placed a total of 513 taxpayers under close monitoring, in relation to their compliance with their obligations to the Tax Department. During the audits, the officials of the Department found that the specific taxpayers had debts to income tax, capital gains tax, special contribution for defense and VAT.
Accumulated debts
In detail, 396 debtors who owed direct taxes were subject to taxes amounting to €37.9 million, while another 117 taxpayers, who had VAT debts, were asked to pay €6.2 million. The average debts are estimated at €86,000.
At the same time, the tax authorities proceeded to impose additional taxes amounting to €115 million on 20,338 natural and legal persons, following on-site inspections, investigation of tax fraud cases, examination of capital and financial statements.
More than 1,200 inspections
According to data obtained by "F", in 2025 the officials of the Department proceeded with on-the-spot checks for VAT on 1,236 taxpayers, on whom taxes of €32.4 million were imposed. Also, a total of 73 cases of tax fraud were put under the microscope of the competent authorities, in which a tax of €4.1 million was certified.
In addition, the capital statements of 1,067 taxpayers were examined, with the competent authority imposing taxes of €3.1 million. At the same time, financial statements were examined in 18,000 cases, in which the Tax Department imposed taxes amounting to €75.3 million.
At the same time, tax authorities, in the context of voluntary tax compliance, carried out information and compliance campaigns for taxpayers, as well as the imposition of penalties in cases of non-compliance.
They deceived the authorities with 5% VAT
Last year, the Tax Department carried out on-site inspections to verify the correct application of the reduced VAT rate for the purchase or construction of a house and sent compliance letters to taxpayers. As "F" is informed, the Tax Department continued the on-site inspections, in order to determine whether the legislation for reduced VAT of 5% on the purchase or construction of a main residence or apartment is correctly applied.
In total, approximately 1,715 on-site inspections were carried out, during which 93 non-beneficiaries were identified, while the corresponding amount required to be paid amounts to €11.5 million. Also, another 214 taxpayers voluntarily complied with this legislation, voluntarily declaring the termination of the fiscal year and paying VAT of €9.3 million.
Taxpayers paid an additional VAT of 14%, in addition to 5%, as they normally had to pay 19% from the beginning. These persons did not use the residence for permanent residence, but rented it through various electronic platforms, such as Airbnb and Booking, or used it as a holiday home.
From 2022 to 2025, the Tax Department identified a total of 1,295 taxpayers who benefited from the 5% measure, while they were not beneficiaries, imposing additional taxes of €73.2 million. Finally, in the context of data analysis and risk management practices, when non-compliance behaviours are detected, approximately 12,430 compliance letters have been sent to natural and legal persons.
At €4.64 billion - Tax debts climbed by €700 million
Last year, total tax debts increased, climbing to €4.64 billion, from €3.93 billion. The amount of immediately due debt, before collection measures, in December 2025 amounted to €3.32 billion, including interest and charges, compared to €2.59 billion. in the corresponding period of 2024.
About 60% of the immediately due amount, out of the total tax debts, is up to four years old. Specifically, 29.5% concern current debts of less than one year and 29.9% tax debts aged from one to four years.
Total taxes under collection measures in 2025 amounted to €901.5 million, compared to €729.8 million. in 2024. The net amount of taxes due, before the implementation of the bank account seizure measure, in December 2025 was €2.42 billion, compared to €1.63 billion. in 2024.
The net immediately payable tax amount, excluding collection measures, as of December 31, 2025, amounted to €2.42 billion.
