Flood victims of Thessaly: Suspension of payment of tax and insurance contributions, installments and extensions

Suspension of payment of tax and insurance contributions, installments and payment extensions for flood victims.

The Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance, Mr. Haris Theocharis, and the Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Security, Mr. Panos Tsakloglou, signed a decision for a 6-month suspension of payment of tax and insurance obligations to those affected by the floods in Thessaly, amending previous decisions.

Mr. Theoharis pointed out that “As a government and in particular as a Ministry of Finance, we are doing everything we can to stand by our flood-affected fellow citizens in Thessaly. The additional six-month extension for the suspension of the fulfillment of their tax obligations was judged to be imperative and fair, as a little more margin and a necessary breath in the struggle given by those affected to regain normality in their lives.”

The Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Security, Panos Tsakloglou, stated: “With the cooperation of the ministries involved, the Ministry of National Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection and the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, within the framework of the Government Committee for State Aid, it was decided and is underway to extension for an additional six months of the provisions for the suspension of obligations to the AADE and the EFKA of those affected by the floods of September 2023. As a government and in particular, as the Ministry of Labor we are doing everything in our power to stand practically on the side of the of our flood-affected fellow citizens in Thessaly, giving them the necessary time to overcome difficulties and get back on their feet. The additional six-month extension for the suspension of their insurance obligations will breathe life into their struggle to get their lives back to normal.”

Specifically, the additional 6-month suspension of tax obligations concerns the following cases:

• The payment of confirmed and overdue debts on 04.09.2023, aimed at businesses that are certified as affected by a relevant certificate from the Region and are part of the state aid to affected businesses, is suspended until 04.09.2024. Correspondingly, the same applies specifically to natural persons, who are certified to have suffered damage to their residences, in the context of their inclusion in the scheme of providing housing assistance and compensation for household goods.
• For businesses and natural persons located in areas that have been universally affected by the floods of September 2023, as determined by the Fire Brigade, the payment of debts confirmed and due on 09/04/2023 is suspended until 09/04/2024. Paragraph 3 of article 2 of the decision of the Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance under items A. 1143/2023 (Β΄5599) is amended and formulated as follows: “3. The payment of the confirmed and due on 04.09.2023 debts of the persons and entities of par. 1 of this article is suspended until 04.09.2024”.
• For the following perimeters, the payment of the confirmed and due on 04.09.2023 debts of the persons and entities of par. 1 of article 3 of the under items A. 1143/2023 (B΄5599) of the decision of the Deputy Minister of National Affairs is suspended until 04.09.2024 Economy and Finance:

1. Scope: For businesses related to the tourism industry (accommodation, catering, tourism businesses, etc.) in areas affected by (a) unsafe road access and (b) unsuitability of water.
2. Scope: For businesses with accommodation (hotels, rooms for rent, etc.) in areas affected only or mainly due to the unsuitability of the water.
3. Scope: For fishermen and fish trading businesses due to the effects on the Thessaly coastal front.

Regarding the payment of insurance contributions, an extension is given for an additional six (6) months (total extension of suspension twelve (12) months), a) for those affected by the floods in Thessaly and specifically, b) for businesses and employers, with a professional establishment or activity in specific areas, which are identified by the Hellenic Fire Brigade as universally affected (according to the recommendation of KEKA), c) for businesses and employers with a specific professional activity (tourist businesses, accommodation, fishing) who have a business establishment or are active in specific areas of the Region of Thessaly, d) especially for demonstrably affected businesses, employers and insured persons who have initially received a three-month suspension, without having been examined whether they have been affected, and are given a twelve-month suspension based on the permanent arrangements, because they provide a certificate from the Region that have suffered damage.