OPINION

Time to kick a stupid habit

Official figures indicate that tax dodging continues unabated across Greece’s tourist areas.

According to data made available by the Finance Ministry following checks conducted between July 7 and August 17, enterprises in the tourism sector – including hotels, boat rental companies and souvenir shops – registered a high rate of violation, amounting for just over 20 percent.

Inspections may have intensified but stricter control has so far failed to root out this illegal habit. We are all responsible for this failure. No one should leave a bar or a restaurant without first receiving a receipt for money spent there.

Tempted as consumers may be by the discount typically granted if they pay for goods or services without receiving a receipt, they are only adding to the extra bill that the sum of the nation’s conscious taxpayers will be called upon to pay in order to make up for the damage caused by those who insist on living at the expense of the Greek state and society.

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