INDICATOR: 11.21.6
Stakeholder engagement and management of concerns related to tax
Description of the approach to stakeholder engagement and management of stakeholder concerns related to taxation, including:
i. the approach to cooperation with tax authorities,
ii. the approach of defending public policy in the field of taxation,
iii. the procedures for collecting and considering the views of stakeholders, including external stakeholders.
Description of the approach to tax-related stakeholders, which includes:
i. The approach to cooperation with the tax authorities
Regular and interim audits are carried out by various competent authorities on tax and customs issues confirming compliance with the existing framework.
The tax framework and practices in Greece, which determine the tax base for the transactions of the Group’s main entities, are likely to lead to inherent uncertainties due to their complexity and are subject to change and different interpretation by the competent authorities at different points in time and in different entities. When a tax audit results in an assessment different from that adopted by the Group entity and with which the Group disagrees, the resolution process is usually through litigation. These actions are closely monitored and evaluated on a regular 3-monthly basis, with additional actions taken if required. The legal process, has several stages and it is likely to take several years to reach a final and irrevocable decision, whereby the original position of the GTCD applied to the Group is generally confirmed.
ii. The public consultation approach in the field of taxation
The Senior Group’s Tax & Customs Director, actively participates in relevant bodies, in order to be on a timely basis informed about any change in the relevant framework and promptly provide suggestions in the context of public advocacy of new laws.
More specifically, he/she participates in the following bodies:
- Hellenic Petroleum Marketing Companies Association (SEEPE) – Coordinator of the Supply & Customs.
- Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV) – Member of the Taxation Committee
- Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce – Member of the Tax Committee
- International Fiscal Association (IFA) – Member
- Hellenic Accounting and Auditing Standards Oversight Board (HAASOB) – Member
Active participation is carried out in order to fully comply with all relevant legislation and in accordance with domestic tax and customs policies, in support of international trade activities. We strive to be efficient in our tax and customs affairs and utilize specific provisions, with the primary objective of ensuring compliance with all relevant tax and customs laws and practices.
iii. The procedures for collecting and considering the views of stakeholders, including external stakeholders
There are internal and external procedures that allow stakeholders to participate in this process.
Internally, GT&CD provides advice and guidance within the Group, across all entities and jurisdictions, as well as tax audit / clearance from a tax and/or customs perspective, acting as an internal advisor on tax and customs matters, ensuring that appropriate guidance is provided, informing all stakeholders in a timely manner, ensuring tax awareness within the Group.
Externally, regular audits are carried out by the competent authorities for tax and customs issues, where GT&CD provides full support and cooperation. When a tax or customs audit results in an assessment different from the one adopted by the Group, and on which the Group, after review, disagrees, the resolution process is usually through litigation. These actions are closely monitored and evaluated on a regular basis, with additional actions taken if required.
Note: The tax data used in the preparation of this Sustainability Report is for 2022, as this is the latest tax data available as of the date of this report.