Philenews

Major Tax Overhaul After 23 Years - The Tax Commissioner Reveals How He Will Manage His New Powers

Published January 11, 2026, 05:06
Major Tax Overhaul After 23 Years - The Tax Commissioner Reveals How He Will Manage His New Powers

The Parliament has approved a significant tax reform, the first in 23 years, which affects both individuals and legal entities. The reform includes an increase in the tax-free threshold to €22,000 and new tax deductions for families with children, loan interest, and green investments. New tax brackets are also being adopted, with rates ranging from 20% to 35%. A significant change is the abolition of the defense tax, as well as the reduction of the special defense contribution on dividend distribution from 17% to 5%. For businesses, the deemed dividend distribution is abolished for profits earned from January 1, 2026. The Tax Commissioner, Sotiris Markidis, states that the reform gives the Tax Department new “weapons” to combat tax evasion, such as sealing businesses and freezing shares. The goal is to strengthen tax fairness and increase state revenue. The reform has sparked discussions and controversies, with MPs expressing different views on its impact on the economy and society. The chairwoman of the House Finance Committee, Christiana Erotokritou, and AKEL MP Andros Kavkalias present their positions in “F tis Kyriakis”.