The Greek parliament adopted today a draft law on tax increases, which was a condition for the continuation of international aid payments to the country.
The text was approved with 162 votes in favor, out of a total of 300, and the measure introduces a new tax of 42 percent for Greeks who earn more than 42.000 euros a year.
The government says that the goal of the new measure is to collect 2,3 billion euros this year.
"We are not in favor of raising taxes, but in the current situation we have to lead the country out of the crisis," said Deputy Finance Minister Giorgos Mavraganis.
The opposition says that the tax increase will make life difficult for ordinary citizens. The main opposition "Radical Left Coalition" says austerity has "destroyed the middle class in the country".
Greece's efforts to crack down on "mindless tax evaders", such as doctors and lawyers, are faltering and must be strengthened, according to a report by the European Union and the International Monetary Fund, published at the end of December last year.
Half the debt
Athens has collected only half of its tax debt and carried out less than half of the tax audits that should have been carried out within the target set by its foreign creditors, a survey of international creditors conducted in November showed.
"The mission expresses concern over the inaction of the Greek authorities and the weakening of the fight against tax evasion by very wealthy residents and members of the liberal professions," the report said.
By the end of September, the Greek authorities had conducted 440 checks on wealthy taxpayers suspected of evading taxes, and this year's target is 1.300 such checks.
So far, around 1,1 billion euros of outstanding taxes have been collected in Greece, which is almost twice less than the target of two billion euros.
Creditors have called on the Greek government to increase tax collection and to concentrate on cases most likely to yield results, Reuters reported.
"Doctors and lawyers are good examples to start controlling and collecting taxes," the creditors said.
Tax evasion has become an almost traditional feature of Greece, making it difficult for the government to improve its finances under an international bailout agreement worth 240 billion euros.
Bonus video:
