New Tax Rules for 2010

Ever-changing Greek tax system a factor in crisis

It's a problem all too familiar to Greek business owners: the gnawing uncertainty of what taxes they might owe next year — and whether they'll even be hit by a sudden increase in the bill for last year.

Greece's ever-changing tax system undermines compliance and revenue — and makes a major contribution to the government financial crisis that has shaken the entire European Union and undermined the euro currency.

"With regulations amended or overhauled practically every year for decades, businesses — and the average Greek taxpayer — don't know what to expect from the future, or even from the past.

"You never know what tomorrow's dawn will bring... read more

Last week the Greek government announced their plans for the 2010 tax overhaul, which will include the collection of receipts by individuals in order to obtain their full tax free allowance.

An overview of the new tax rules, including details of the new tax brackets for 2010, is published on the main Living in Crete website: 2010 tax rules

Kathara Deftera - Clean Monday

Today is Kathara Deftera, or Clean Monday, a Bank Holiday in Greece which marks the end of Apokries and the start of Lent (Sarakosti).

Fasting starts today and traditionally (according to the Greek Orthodox Church) no meat, fish, eggs, dairy products or oil are allowed to be eaten for the next 49 days leading up to Greek Easter

A Lenten picnic and kite flying are the traditions of the day, shown here at Stavros beach against the backdrop of Stavros mountain (of Zorba the Greek fame).

Click the pictures to enlarge








See how many kites you can spot below - click to enlarge

Carnival in Akrotiri, Chania

The 2010 carnival in Kounoupidiana, Akrotiri, Chania was packed on Sunday as hundreds of revellers took to the streets to celebrate.

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There were a few revellers poking fun at the government and Greece's current affairs.
"Fakelaki - Nai. Apodeiksi - Oxi" ('Envelope - Yes. Receipt - No' An envelope being an envelope of cash as referred to in a bribe.)










Even the on duty policemen joined in the 'kefi':



Local businesses provided thousands of souvlakis:

30 Years Without Nikos Xilouris

Nikos Xylouris (Νίκος Ξυλούρης)
Born 7th July 1936. Died 8th February 1980
Famous Cretan musician, immortalised through his music.

Nikos Xylouris was born on the 7th of July 1936 in Anoghia, on the island of Crete to a family steeped in traditional music. In 1941 his family fled Anoghia for the village of Mylopotamos after the Germans burned his village and returned after Crete was liberated. His talent shone early, and he sang and played the mandolin with his friend Giorgi Kalomoiri. He later learnt to play the Cretan Lyra, and started to tour the villages and towns to play at festivals, weddings and baptisms... read the full article

Tsiknopempti

Tsiknopempti falls on the second Thursday of Apokries (Carnival) in Greece; today February 4th 2010.

'Tsikna' is the smell of burning meat.. 'pempti' is Thursday, in Greek. It loosely translates as Burnt Thursday, Barbecue Thursday or Fat Thursday.

Tsiknopempti traditionally marks the last week of meat eating until after Lent; old customs saw whole villages barbecuing meat on this day, with the smell of 'burning' meat permeating the air.

It is still the tradition to eat meat on Tsiknopempti, although nowadays it's
the tavernas who cater for the meat feast. You'll find that tavernas and cafes
everywhere are packed and many have live music and a party atmosphere.




The masqueraders start coming out in force this evening. Enjoy!

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Sea Breeze

Very windy yesterday. The choppy sea washed right up the beach at Kalathas, Akrotiri, Chania.

Click on the photos to see larger size



Plenty of white caps out to sea-