Paying tax on rent you haven't collected? Here's how to 'write it off' by July 15

Greek property owners facing the dual burden of unpaid rent and tax obligations have a crucial window to resolve the issue before the July 15 deadline. The tax authority, AADE, requires proof of legal action against tenants who have defaulted on payments to avoid being taxed on income that was never received. This measure is designed to protect landlords from financial hardship when tenants fail to pay.

To successfully claim non-receipt of rent for tax purposes, landlords must present concrete evidence of their efforts to recover the owed amounts. This includes having a court order for eviction, a payment order, or proof that a lawsuit has been filed against the tenant. A simple verbal agreement or informal assurance is insufficient; tangible legal documentation is mandatory.

Once the necessary legal documents are gathered, landlords must navigate the digital platform of the AADE, specifically the 'My Requests' portal, to submit the special form E411. This form needs to be completed for each tenant individually. If the digital submission proves problematic, traditional methods like physical submission or registered mail are available as alternative options. The article also reminds owners that rent is taxable from the first euro, with a standard 5% deduction for maintenance costs, making the accurate declaration of non-collected rent essential to avoid overpayment.