A surge in citizen reports of tax evasion, with over 200,000 tips submitted through a single mobile app, is becoming a powerful new tool for Greek authorities, who say the resulting revenue gains will create the fiscal space for future tax cuts.
The "appodixi" app, which allows consumers to scan and report businesses for issuing fake or unissued receipts, has received more than 208,000 complaints.
The government offers a monetary reward of up to 3,000 euros for signed, validated claims, which officials say has encouraged public participation.
The finance ministry has linked this growing partnership with taxpayers directly to its ability to provide relief. Last year's progress in combating tax evasion funded a 600-million-euro support package to be distributed this November.
Officials are optimistic that this year's strong revenue performance will justify a 1.5-billion-euro relief package to be announced at the Thessaloniki International Fair in September.
The government's goal is to continue closing the country's value-added tax (VAT) gap, which has reportedly fallen from 13.7% in 2022 to below 10% now.
By Yiorgos Pappous