The Greek government is looking to boost state revenues by clamping down on bootleg tobacco smuggling and distribution as well as mandating electronic payments for practically all tax and customs transactions, among others. Along with draft legislation on revealing and legalizing previously undisclosed capital, the initiatives were presented on Monday by relevant alternate minister Tryfon Alexiadis.
He made the announcement during a ceremony in Athens to praise a major drug bust last week, which witnessed the confiscation of a large cargo of opiate-laced pills with the help of the DEA. The shipment hailed from India and was headed for Libya, where authorities believe it may have been destined for ISIS foot soldiers.
Among others, the government aims to prohibit all cash transactions at tax bureaus; oblige all businesses, self-employed professionals and craftsmen to accept payment through POS terminals; allow payment via foreign credit institution-issued cards at tax bureaus and customs posts; institute mandatory credit transfers at customs posts (ICISnet) and eliminate cash transactions; and finally, institute an e-stamp duty instead of the current printed stamps.
