Greek shopkeepers stage tax protest

[Dover]

Source: Reuters




Oct 22 - Small shopowners across Greece refused to open today as part of a protest at the government's new tax measures and pension reforms.

They say will hurt the government's new budget plans will hit small businessmen, at a time of global economic crisis. Greece unveiled new taxes as part of a package to boost budget revenues and help Athens meet its 1.6 percent public deficit target this year despite flagging revenues.

Video:


Read more: http://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=92618&videoChannel=1

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Greek Shopowners Lock Premises In Protest At New Tax Law

ATHENS (AFP)--Shops and small businesses around Greece were shut Wednesday as their owners staged a protest against measures to crackdown on tax evasion adopted by the conservative government.

The national confederation of commerce said the lockup would be enforced until midday in Athens and for the whole day in the rest of Greece.

Large retail chains and supermarkets didn't join the protest and many shops opted to stay open to make up for lost business on Tuesday when unions staged a general strike against the government's austerity policies.

The ruling conservatives have taken a series of measures to combat Greece's enormous black market economy and rampant tax evasion that costs billion of euros in lost revenue annually.

The finance ministry recently scrapped tax breaks for the self-employed who had until now enjoyed up to EUR10,500 of tax-free income, as the measure was seen to facilitate tax dodgers who declared low earnings.

Shopowners argue the crackdown will lead to bankruptcies and bolster the presence of large retail chains which already control a sizable portion of the Greek market. ..>

http://news.morningstar.com/newsnet/ViewNews.aspx?article=/DJ/200810220423DOWJONESDJONLINE000401_univ.xml

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Iran: Merchants in main Tehran market stage second strike against sales tax
AP/Star Tribune

TEHRAN, Iran - Merchants in Tehran's main market have closed their shops in protest of a new sales tax despite the government's announcement that it would suspend the measure for two months.

Gold, carpet and textile merchants participated in Sunday's strike against the 3 percent value-added tax that was imposed in September...>

http://www.startribune.com/world/30863424.html?elr=KArks:DCiUBcy7hUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

[ben_meyers]

1. That's not very patriotic of them

the government needs help to bail out of the economic mess and all these shopkeepers can do is line their own pockets. If they can't afford the taxes, they shouldn't be in business.

[Indenturedebtor]

2. Sad thing is that many of them weren't paying their taxes to begin with

As mentioned the measures were desiged to cut down on tax evasion! Which is a huge problem in many countries.

[WriteDown]

3. It is a huge problem here...

try to find any small business that reports making money on their tax returns in the US. They always just "break even."

[Indenturedebtor]

4. Bleh I didn't know it was as much a problem with small business.

I know it's a huge problem with our corporations and rich people.

[WriteDown]

5. Corporations hide larger sums, but less percentage....

Small businesses never "make money." At least not on their tax returns. Even more so if any transactions are done in cash.