More Information
Citizen Services
U.S. and Greek Income and Property Taxes
The Consular Section has received most of the tax forms and publications and we are expecting more any day now. Taxpayers may obtain forms in person from the Notary Section between 9.00am to 5.00pm weekdays or may call us at 210-7202421 to have us mail them to you.
If a taxpayer needs to download forms or instructions, the IRS Internet site is www.irs.gov
The 2008 Yearly Average exchange rate is 1 U.S. Dollar = 0.683 Euro.
Unfortunately this year the IRS has suspended the International Tax Assistance Program so we will not be in a position to offer tax assistance in Athens.
Taxpayers who wish to hire a professional tax preparer to help them file their returns will find a list of U.S. tax preparers at the US Embassy website http://athens.usembassy.gov/tax_services.html. The list is also available from the Consular Section’s Notary Unit.
You may wish to contact the IRS regional office at the U.S. Embassy in Paris at:
American Embassy
IRS Room E-414
2 Avenue Gabriel
75382 Paris Cedex 08
Tel: 00331-43122555
E-mail: irs.paris@irs.gov or
Contact the Principal Office responsible for providing International Tax Assistance in Philadelphia at phone +1 (215) 516-2000
Fax: +1 (215) 516-2555
E-mail: www.irs.gov/help/page/0,,id=133197,00.html
Mail: Internal Revenue Service
P.O. Box 920
Bensalem, PA 19020 USA
Paying Greek Income Tax
Detailed information on the Greek Tax Code can be obtained from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, 10 Karagiorgi Servias Street, 4th floor, 10184 Athens, Tel: 210-3375275 or 210-3375456, fax: 210-3375025, website www.gsis.gr, e-mail ipr@otenet.gr, or from the Greek Consulates abroad. Here are some basic facts:
Who Must File a Tax Return
1. Non-residents of Greece who acquire property or have income in Greece must obtain a Tax Serial Number, according to Greek regulations.
2. Anyone who earns income originating in Greece or owns property in Greece is required to file a tax return for his entire earnings, including income earned abroad or income from foreign sources (inheritance, rents, etc.,). A US/Greece tax treaty eliminates double taxation.
Regarding the requirement to file a return, Greek law makes no distinction between Greek citizens and other nationals whether permanent residents or not. Failure to file a return when any of the above applies will result in a fine.
Tax on Transfer of Property
A transfer of ownership tax is assessed on the value of the property in accordance with the property value tables established by the Ministry of Finance. In areas where such tables have not been established yet, the local tax authorities appraise the property value. The method of assessment depends on the type of transfer, i.e., purchase, donation, inheritance, etc. A fifty-percent discount in the payment of the transfer tax is granted to foreigners of Greek extraction who comply with the requirements of the law. Details can be obtained from an attorney or from the Ministry of Finance.