Uncollected Rents: Who is at Risk of Tax and How to Avoid It
Greek taxpayers with uncollected rents must act promptly to prevent incurring taxes as filing for tax returns begins.
As the electronic submission of tax returns kicks off on March 15, 2024, Greek taxpayers with uncollected rents should take immediate actions to avoid taxation. Current tax legislation provides an exemption for uncollected rents, however, this exemption is not automatically activated. Instead, it requires specific actions to be taken prior to tax return submission and the provision of appropriate documentation, primarily the E411 form.
To escape taxes ranging from 15% to 45% on uncollected rents from 2025, it is insufficient to merely state these amounts on forms E1 and E2. The tax exemption is effectively secured only if certain legal and administrative steps are undertaken prior to the submission of the tax return. Property owners with uncollected rents must have legally pursued actions against the tenant in a timely manner. Specifically, it is mandatory that a payment order or an order for the return of rental property has been issued, ensuring compliance with the established legal requirements before the tax declaration process.
This situation emphasizes the importance of being proactive for landlords dealing with this issue. Failing to follow the required legal processes could result in significant tax liabilities, which many may not be fully aware of until it is too late. Accordingly, understanding the necessary steps and ensuring adherence to them is crucial for property owners to minimize financial exposure in the face of uncollected rents.