Freelancers in Greece continue to report low annual turnover to tax authorities, despite the implementation of the minimum presumptive income system. The Independent Authority for Public Revenue’s (AADE) data reveals that 4 out of 10 professional declared an average turnover of less than 30,000 euros.
More specifically, according to AADE 869,542 self-employed individuals and sole proprietors, who filed taxes for 2023, declared an average turnover of less than 30,000 euros. With net profits typically amounting to just one-third or even one-quarter of turnover, thousands reported poverty-level incomes or even losses. While more than half of these professionals fell into the presumptive income trap, leading to higher tax payments.
Professions such as lawyers, real estate agents, taxi drivers, architects, and hairdressers declared average annual turnover of less than 25,000 euros, while only 1 in 10 reported earnings exceeding100,000 euros.
Plumbers, electricians, and carpenters, on the other hand, saw turnover increases of 25% to 30% compared to last year.
However, some professionals appear to have taken advantage of the new system, declaring lower gross revenue than in previous years.
Amongst the highest turnover bracket, as recorded, were 203 taxpayers in the wholesale tobacco trade, with an average annual turnover of 1,202,704 euros, down from 1,295,860 euros in 2022.
3,304 taxpayers in the retail fuel trade also recorded a high average turnover of 669,782 euros, though it was down from the 772,275 euros in 2022.
Finally, 67 tax payers in the animal feed manufacturing sector reported average revenue of 476,685 euros, down from 484,631euros in 2022.
