Greek Tax Authority Conducts Sweeping Audits in E-Commerce

E-commerce is now in the crosshairs of Greece’s Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE).

The country’s tax authority is intensifying audits and cross-checks on digital platforms, aiming to detect “invisible” transactions that slip through the radar of the myDATA system and electronic payments.

A special task force within AADE, assisted by artificial intelligence, is “sweeping” transaction data from digital platforms and cross-referencing them with business submissions to myDATA and tax declarations.

Algorithms at Work

Using advanced algorithms to monitor sales, banking transactions, VAT returns, declared income, turnover, and even product deliveries via courier companies, AADE aims to uncover tax evasion and undeclared income—and to impose heavy penalties on violators.

The flow of goods via courier services without tax documentation is also under scrutiny. In addition, auditors are making use of intelligence gathered from earlier investigations into the e-commerce sector.

Heavy Fines

Under current law, digital platforms that refuse to cooperate with AADE face fines of up to €500,000 and possible suspension of operations. Users who fail to provide their details may have their accounts shut down and payments withheld by the tax authorities.

ccording to the authority’s operational plan, all e-commerce transaction data will be compared against myDATA submissions and company tax returns. Audits already show that, despite the recording of online sales by banks and courier services, many businesses still exploit loopholes to conceal transactions.

Joint and simultaneous checks with tax authorities in other EU member states are also foreseen. All digital e-commerce platforms operating in Greece or abroad are now obliged to transmit user transaction data to AADE.

With these stricter measures and sweeping audits, compliance is expected to improve, as even those attempting to conceal transactions are aware that the tax authority now possesses the digital tools and comprehensive data needed to track them down.