Tax returns: The four critical fields in the pre-filled amounts

Summary

This is tax filing season, as the online platform for filing them opens on March 16, with more than 1.5 million taxpayers finding them pre-filled and pre-cleared by the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (IAPR—the Greek tax authority), ready for submission.

The returns will be posted to taxpayers’ accounts in the TAXISnet system along with summary pre-assessment notes, which will indicate, in each case, what the outcome of the settlement will be if the return is submitted as is or left for automatic submission and settlement by the tax administration.

Those with pre-filled returns must carefully check the information to avoid additional charges as well as the potential loss of social benefits and allowances. In the event of errors, omissions, or gaps, they must submit an amended return with the necessary corrections.

Specifically, before clicking the “submit” button, they should thoroughly check four fields to avoid unpleasant surprises.

What’s changing now

• The amount of income and the tax withheld. Taxpayers, by selecting “Update Income-Expenses-Tax Withholding of the Taxpayer” or “Update on Income, Expenses, and Tax Withholding for Spouse/Married Partner,” as applicable, will see a detailed breakdown of the amounts and the tax withheld. Therefore, if they find errors or omissions—since the codes are locked and they cannot make changes—they must contact the entity that issued the certificate and request a recalculation of income and the submission of a new file to the AADE.
• If electronic expenses for the purchase of goods and services cover 30% of taxable income, as otherwise a 22% tax is imposed on the difference. This specific field is editable, and taxpayers may modify the pre-filled amounts, provided they possess the required supporting documents, such as receipts for payments via POS and e-banking, and copies of credit or debit card transactions.
• They must also pay particular attention to the standard of living indicators (objective expenses based on housing, vehicles, and other assets), as if their total exceeds the declared income, the tax office will calculate the tax based on the imputed income. If they find that their imputed income is higher than their declared income and that, as a result, they are required to pay significantly higher income tax, they must ensure they cover the additional difference between imputed and declared income by entering in codes 781-782 of Table 6 of Form E1 an amount representing the use of capital derived from income of previous years or, in codes 787-788 of Table 6 of the return, a monetary amount from a loan, gift, parental allowance, inheritance, gambling winnings, lump-sum compensation, etc., received in 2024.
• Care must also be taken to correctly declare dependent children, as this can lead to a reduction in the final tax of up to more than 1,800 euros, depending on the number of children.

The tax

In the case of a tax assessment showing a liability, the additional tax is paid in 8 monthly installments, with the first due by the end of July. In the case of a lump-sum payment, the discount rate is 4% if the tax return is filed by April 30 , 3% if filed by June 15, and 2% if filed by July 15.

No tax assessment is issued if the tax amount does not exceed 30 euros. No tax refund is issued for amounts less than 5 euros.

After the tax assessment notice is issued, the taxpayer may request a correction of the “account” by filing an amended return. The AADE issues a new tax assessment notice only if it accepts the return.

The amended return is considered timely if submitted within the deadline, specifically by mid-July. By 2028, it is estimated that all returns will be fully pre-filled and can be submitted automatically, even without any action on the part of taxpayers.

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