Greek boat tax - again

[blueglass]

I know this has been covered already but I thought I would re post the comment copied below from the liveaboard forum on to the mobo forum because far more of us are affected than yachts. (affects mobos over 10 mts and sailboats over 15m) If the following is correct this state run mugging looks like its going ahead. If anybody out there has HARD info I am all ears. Have put out a couple of feelers and will come back with anything I hear.


Originally Posted by PLEIAS
The 2009 one-off levy or special contribution tax as it's called in Greek is on and it is to be paid by April 30.That is for private vessels -10m mobos and 15m sailboats -regardless of flag with a total stay of 40 days in 2009.Port authorities are to check for the payment before they allow the vessel's departure.So nobody will show up on your boat and demand payment.It's your duty to pay it before departure and show the receipt to the Port Authority.NO OTHER LEVY is predicted for 2010 in the budget.The tax reform to be voted when that comes is going to set standards for the minimum income one will be taxed for according to the assets or possesions one has,and it is for residents and tax payers only so not of your consern unless you're filing revenous in Greece.Those of you who wish to leave Vaia con Dios and fairwinds.Dimitris

 

[Nick_H]

Well if Dimitris is right, then it sounds like it's going to be charged retrospectively for 2009, but not charged again in 2010??? If that's true, then I guess they hope people will pay it, but not take their boats out of Greece. It's a subtle as a brick ploy that Nu Labour and the Spannish would be proud of!

I'd want to know what Dimitris' interest is though, if he's benefitting from the marine trade in some way, then I guess it suits him for people to think it's a one off tax.

 

[blueglass]

but if they charge it retrospectively, whats to stop them doing it again in 2011 for 2010?
Also I m not sure if it is legal to retro charge any tax without proper forward notification. - are there pecedents for this in the EU?

 

[GrowingLad]

I'd want to know what Dimitris' interest is though, if he's benefitting from the marine trade in some way, then I guess it suits him for people to think it's a one off tax.

I may have the complete wrong end of the stick but I think Dimitri is just a Greek bod with a boat (he may even be an accountant if I read a previous post correctly)

From what he's mentioned before I don't think he's anything to do with the boat trade...

To the best of my knowledge I think that's the situation.
I've seen a couple of his posts..seems a decent enough chap!

 

[Mr Cassandra]

I'd want to know what Dimitris' interest is though, if he's benefitting from the marine trade in some way, then I guess it suits him for people to think it's a one off tax.[/QUOTE]

An accountant

 

[dhjf]

can anyone help ??

my motor boat was in the ionian for 3 months last summer before returning to italy in september for the winter. i kept my maritime traffic document stamped up during the stay.

we now want to cruise to turkey through greek waters and the corinth canal in may.

will i get collared for the boat tax for being in greek waters for more that 40 days in 2009 ??

 

[Nick_H]

but if they charge it retrospectively, whats to stop them doing it again in 2011 for 2010?
Also I m not sure if it is legal to retro charge any tax without proper forward notification. - are there pecedents for this in the EU?

Exactly, I think they would do it again. A retrospective tax, by its nature, is a breach of trust, so why would anyone believe they wouldn't charge it again.

There are precedents in the EU for tax changes being introduced retrospectively, certainly in the UK and Spain, as I hinted above. The Spannish have been more underhand by adopting questionable interpretations of old legislation to justify the land grab and other taxes. In the UK, just google "Gordon Browns pensions raid", amongst others.

 

[dhjf]

how comprehensive are the greek records for 2009 boats in their waters ?

is it all cross referenced across the various port authorities and computerised centrally?

 

[blueglass]

how comprehensive are the greek records for 2009 boats in their waters ?

is it all cross referenced across the various port authorities and computerised centrally?

records are totally meaningless - I wouldn't worry about a thing. I have been in the Ionian for several years and have not submitted my transit log once - tried severall times but port police not interested, so any records are a joke. Cruise on through in under 40 days and even if this tax is enforced you have nothing to worry about.

 

[plato-gb]

Greek luxury tax on boats update from Ministry of Finance

Email I received May 17 2010 from MoF, Greece, in reply to my request for clarification:

Replying to your e-mail of 29-4-2010 to the Office of the Minister of Finance, we inform you in the following:

Indeed, a boat annual special tax has been introduced in our country. According to law N. 3642/2010, the tax is levied upon the motorboats over 10 meters as well as upon the sailing boats over 15 meters. The tax is also levied upon those boats that remain within Greek territory for more than 60 days during a calendar year. The tax is annual and it cannot be divided.

The above tax is charged based on the boats length. In detail

For power boats over 10 m:

For the first 10 meters=None

For the next 3 meters=300 Euro per meter

For the next 4 meters=550 Euro per meter

For the next 4 meters =800 Euro per meter

For the next 4 meters = 1.050 Euro per meter

For the next meters above 25th = 1.300 Euro per meter

For sailing boats over 15m:

For the first 15 meters= None

From 15-20 m=200 Euro per meter

From 21-25 m=400 Euro per meter

Above 26 m= 600 Euro per meter

For example a power boat of 21 meters long pays tax of 6.300 euro annually (900+2200+3200 euro).

The above tax is paid only for the above boats and is paid by all boats residing in Greek waters for more than 60 days, within a calendar year.

However this tax is not yet enacted because the law is referring to a minister of finance rule that needs to be issued concerning the deadline of the tax, the way of payment and other details.

The above MINISTER OF FINANCE RULE will be issued soon.

 

[StewartC]

Greek tax

Our latest information is that the tax has been suspended indefinitely. The chief of port police sent notes to all his officers instructing them not to collect this tax, and to await further instruction from the Ministry of Finance. It is suspected that the delay is because the Greek authorities want to figure out how to exempt foreign boaters from the levy - it's the locals they're after, not touring boaters.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Our latest information is that the tax has been suspended indefinitely. The chief of port police sent notes to all his officers instructing them not to collect this tax, and to await further instruction from the Ministry of Finance. It is suspected that the delay is because the Greek authorities want to figure out how to exempt foreign boaters from the levy - it's the locals they're after, not touring boaters.

So there'll be a lot of Greek boat owners re-registering their boats elsewhere in Europe then? £25 for an online British SSR registration and Stavros is your uncle