A new amendment of the tax bill in Greece is aiming to pour ?2 million in the state treasury and warns for constant checks during fall. Based on the law a deadline of six months will be given to all citizens to file an application if they have made illegal extensions to their balconies or an illegal maisonette and another nine months to pay off the first payment for fixing it.

The citizens, who are affected by the bill, will have to pay an additional amount, which will be equal to 10% off the value of the rooms, which were altered. Based on primary data the amount will be between ?1200 and ?1500, depending on the number of illegal rooms a person has.

The amendment done by the Environment, Town-planning and Social Orders Ministry will affect apartments, which are in a legally constructed buildings but their initial usage is altered.

According to the ministry this bill deals with “fixing” and not “legalizing” illegal add-on constructions. Citizens will receive a certificate that they have paid their fine.

The strange thing is that the payment of fines will start from the spring of 2011 and the Greek government has made a commitment to the EU, to gather ?1.15 billion from “fixing” illegal buildings until the end of 2009. When filing an application, all citizens will pay a tax stamp, which will cost between ?250 and ?350.

The whole amount has to be paid in three payments, which will be defined by the town-planning services and which will equal to 10% of the total value of the added-on construction. If the amount is paid cash, there will be a 10% discount. In case someone is late to pay the fine, he will be fined for illegal construction.