Heavy taxes for households and businesses

The government intends to collect a total amount of 6,4bil euros from the pockets of taxpayers and even vulnerable social groups (new couples, low pensioners etc) in order to cover this year’s needs.

Increases in vehicular tax, gas, soft drinks and a host of goods and consumer services are just the beginning since they only secure 4,8bil euros, while measures for the remaining 1,6bil are yet to be identified and will probably be "cooked" by the government and the Troika in the coming days.

Similarly, the government plans to drain 22bil out of the market and our pockets, but is only giving explanations about the 19.1bil, leaving as a surprise the measures for the other 3bil, which will be specified and implemented in 2014-2015.
 
The poor will get poorer

To achieve the deficit target of 7,5% of the GDP for this year, according to information the government is preparing:

    * a special consumption tax for soft drinks, about 10c a bottle
    * a special consumption tax for gas, which would mean 5-10 euros more on a monthly bill

    * 10-20% increase in vehicular tax.
    * the collection of fines from illegal real estate owners, about 5.000 euros or more in most cases, but in installments from this year
    * a product transfer from the 13% to the 23% VAT category

We will bleed for our coffee…

High in the list of goods and services that are taxed today with the median rate of 13% VAT and may be raised by 10%, are:

    * coffee, cocoa and its byproducts, tea, maté and spices, various herbs
    * rubber condoms, female hygiene products etc.
    * prepared products made of vegetables, seeds and fruits – except grape must
    * bottled and carbonated water, even with added sugar or other sweeteners, or scented
    * several prepared food products that do not contain alcohol
    * operation of cafes, pastry shops etc
    * repairs and alterations in clothing and fabrics of household use
    * repairs of bikes, shoes and leather products
    * renovation and repair of old private houses
    * import of art objects, collections and antiquities
    * transportation of people and their luggage
    * provision of medical and dental services, if they are not fully exempt
    * use of sports facilities

However, it seems that other products and services under favorable taxation will remain on the same level. They include:

    * bread, bakery and flour products
    * olives, fats and oils (even refined, but not chemically modified)
    * meat, milk, cheese products, honey, poultry, fish, eggs, vegetables, cereals, oil, salt, sugar
    * medicinal products and their preparations (gauze, cotton etc)