Small businesses call for simpler tax system to overcome effects of crisis
The Hellenic Confederation of Professionals, Craftsmen and Merchants (GSEVEE) has called on the government to simplify the tax system and to reduce penalties for businesses finding it difficult to meet their tax obligations.
GSEVEE president Giorgos Kavathas argues that small businesses and their owners are suffering due high taxation and the crisis. He said the current system means firms are paying a tax rate of 45 percent.
He said that the number of small businesses fell from about 840,000 in 2008 to around 700,000 in 2011 as turnover fell by around 35 percent.
According to Kavathas, around 1 million GSEVEE members do not have proper health insurance.