Verdict on property tax due Friday
The Supreme Court is expected to issue a verdict on Friday as to whether the Finance Ministry has the right to levy a special property tax – a key measure to raise state revenues – via electricity bills.
A lower court had ruled the practice illegal earlier this month following a lawsuit filed by the INKA consumer group. That decision was appealed on Tuesday at the Supreme Court by the Greek state and the management of the state-owned Public Power Corporation (PPC).
During Tuesday’s hearing, the appellants cited reasons of national interest as well as precedent, given that Greek governments have used electricity bills to collect other levies, such as the fee for ERT state television, for decades.
Meanwhile, consumer groups on Tuesday appealed a first instance court decision, demanding that PPC restore the power supply of property owners that have failed to pay the emergency tax, also known as “haratsi.” The organizations also want to stop PPC from passing the names of those who still owe taxes to other state departments.
The Supreme Court ruling on Friday is not expected to be the final word on the issue as a fresh trial is set to start in March.
