The tax reform bills are expected to be completed within the next few days, Finance Minister Makis Keravnos said on Wednesday evening, noting that they are currently at the Law Office.
In his statements after a meeting he had with the Tax Commissioner and the General Secretariat of SEK trade union, Keravnos said that they had a ‘very productive discussion’ on the tax reform.
In the meeting, SEK submitted their supplementary proposals on the tax reform. The Finance Minister said that ‘a lot of clarifications were given’ both from the government side to the union and from the union to the government side, ‘which, I think help everyone move forward and to complete the tax reform package in a timely and comprehensive manner, and to table it to Parliament.’
Asked where the bills were now, the Minister said they are with the Law Office (for legal vetting) and that, it is expected that ‘within the next, few days, they will be completed.’
Asked whether amendments could therefore be made, Keravnos said that ‘amendments are always made until the last minute.’ He said that the main philosophy of the tax reform, ‘remains the same’, but that, there could be some changes to secondary issues, through consultations.
SEK Secretary General Andreas Matsas thanked the Finance Minister for a “substantive, fruitful and productive meeting” which gave them the opportunity to put forward additional proposals “in an effort to have as much is it is possible a balanced, comprehensive and socially just tax reform.” He also welcomed the fact that particular priority is placed in combatting tax evasion.