A “tax bonus” system for businesses with a clean tax record is being proposed by the Permanent Scientific Committee of Market Associations, as it submits its economic policy recommendations ahead of the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF). The memorandum sent to the Ministry of National Economy and Finance includes, among other measures, changes to the presumptive taxation of freelancers, reduced corporate taxation, the gradual abolition of the business activity levy, as well as a freeze on VAT and capital gains tax on real estate.
The market associations’ proposal for a “Compliant Taxpayer Status” ahead of the Thessaloniki Summit
At the heart of the Committee’s proposals is the establishment of an institutionalized “Compliant Taxpayer Status,” based on objective, transparent, and verifiable criteria. The assessment is proposed to be carried out on a rolling three-year basis, so that tax incentives reward not just short-term compliance, but consistent and long-standing tax responsibility.
Among the criteria that could be evaluated are: timely submission of tax returns, timely payment of tax obligations or consistent adherence to payment arrangements, absence of serious tax violations, compliance with myDATA obligations and other digital processes, compliance with social security obligations, transaction history, and the absence of any indication of systematic non-compliance.
What “tax bonuses” compliant businesses would receive
The new system could offer, based on the degree and duration of compliance: faster tax refunds, priority in tax clearance certificates, reduced frequency of preventive audits, reduced tax advance payments, more favorable treatment in debt settlement arrangements, the ability to self-correct minor and low-value violations without penalty, and other administrative benefits.
The businesses that could benefit most from this new model include small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are compliant with both tax and social security obligations, make investments, grow their workforce, and reinvest their profits. Freelancers with genuinely low activity levels, new and startup businesses, labor-intensive businesses, and companies undertaking green or digital investments could also stand to gain significantly.
As an illustrative example, a food manufacturing business with 40 employees that grows its workforce to 46, invests in new machinery, submits all tax returns on time, and has no overdue debts or serious violations could benefit from reduced tax advance payments, a lower tax rate due to increased employment, and additional incentives for profit reinvestment.
Full proposals from the Permanent Scientific Committee of Market Associations
The Committee also proposes the following measures:
- Raising the threshold from €10,000 to €20,000 for new professionals, to reduce their tax burden in the early stages of their activity.
- A review of the luxury living tax, which may include reductions.
- Reduced tax burden for specific investments aligned with the green and digital transition.
- Faster tax refunds and automatic interest accrual.
- Gradual abolition of objective living expense presumptions.
- Extended carry-forward period for tax losses to be offset against future taxable profits.
- Increased tax discount for timely filing and payment by July 31.
- Improvements to the regime for repatriation and attraction of taxpayers, with easier access to favorable tax status.
- Tax relief when profits are directed toward investments.
- Changes to the tax treatment of rental income, aimed at encouraging long-term leasing.
- Modernization of real estate property taxation.
- Maintaining the VAT suspension on new buildings, thereby preventing the reinstatement of this tax burden.
- Further extension of the suspension of capital gains tax on real estate.
- Reduction of non-wage labor costs, with emphasis on new hires and labor-intensive businesses.
- Increase in the daily value of meal vouchers from €6 to €8.
