The economic leadership is leaning toward a one-week extension for the submission of tax returns, following a wave of requests from the accounting sector. If the relevant decision is made, the deadline will be pushed to July 22 instead of the current July 15 expiration date.
Tax returns 2026: Why an extension to July 22 is being considered
The scenario of a short-term extension has been gaining traction in recent hours. Despite progress in submission rates, the number of outstanding returns remains significant, placing immense pressure on accounting offices and tax professionals who are being asked to complete the process within extremely tight timeframes.
AADE: How many tax returns are still pending
According to the latest available data, approximately 6 million tax returns have been submitted to date, out of an estimated total of 6.9 million expected this year. This means that around 900,000 returns still need to be filed within just six days — translating into an exceptionally high daily workload for accounting firms.
Economic Chamber of Greece: The problems blocking tax return submissions
Adding to the chorus of extension requests, the Economic Chamber of Greece (O.E.E.) has highlighted a series of technical and procedural issues that are hampering the smooth completion of the filing process. In an official statement, the O.E.E. stressed that an extension would help avoid errors, amended returns, and unnecessary penalties, while noting that it would not affect public revenue flows, as the first income tax installment is not due until the end of July.
Among the problems identified are delays in reconciliatory accounting entries, with entries such as the posting of year-end inventory records and depreciation taking between 24 and 48 hours to appear on the myDATA platform and update the E3 form — slowing down workflows and hindering timely submission.
The Chamber also flagged the outstanding Claw Back and Rebate notices for the 2025 fiscal year, which have yet to be issued by the competent authority. As a result, businesses in the healthcare sector — including clinics, physicians, and pharmacies — are unable to finalize their financial results for the year. Additionally, the Chamber cited access issues with the e-EFKA platform due to system upgrade work, making it difficult to retrieve social security contribution payment certificates for 2025.
Tax refunds, balances due, and zero-liability returns: AADE data breakdown
Based on AADE data drawn from the processing of 6,001,433 E1 tax return forms, the breakdown for taxpayers is as follows:
– 34.46% of returns (2,068,093) show a balance due, with the additional tax assessed reaching €3.949 billion, or an average of €1,909 per taxpayer. Those with a tax balance owed must pay by July 31, 2026 — either the first of 8 monthly installments or the full amount with a discount: 4% for those who filed by May 15, 3% for those who filed between May 16 and June 15, and 2% for those who submit by the new deadline to be set by AADE following the anticipated extension.
– 29.95% of returns (1,797,429) are credit returns, with the total tax refund amount reaching €557.753 million, or an average of €310 per taxpayer.
– The remaining 35.58% of returns are zero-liability, with no payment obligation or tax refund arising.
