Taxi services providers in Greece may by the end of the week face steep fines for failing to display a sticker indicating that credit card payments are accepted.
According to the Independent Public Revenue Authority (AADE), so far only half of all taxi drivers have complied to the Finance Ministry regulation which requires placing the sticker on the rear right door window and equipping their vehicles with POS (point-of-sale terminals) machines.
Greece’s tax authority has sent out special inspection units to central points in Athens, including intercity (KTEL) bus terminals and Athens International Airport.
Based on the findings of these inspections and on data provided by local taxi unions, an estimated 50% of taxi drivers nationwide have complied with the regulation announced in July.
AADE said that inspections will continue in both Athens and in other cities and drivers found not complying to the new rule will face penalties to be implemented starting the end of this week.
The sticker placed prominently on the rear door indicates in Greek and English informs users that the driver is obliged to issue a receipt at the end of the route and to accept payment by card. It goes on to note that customers are not obliged to pay in cash or to pay before receiving a legal receipt.
The regulation is part of ongoing government efforts to crack down on tax evasion.
The new requirement also applies to sellers at open-air “laiki” markets.
The finance ministry has said that it will be extending the requirement to other services in the coming period.
