The state had to update its property values as part of its bailout agreement. Doing so included many properties that hadbeen excluded until then.

Hasikos said it was the last year 1980s values would be used, adding however that the state stood to lose money.

“Parliament and certain other people do not care if hundreds of thousands (of properties) will remain untaxed,” Hasikos said. “They did not exist in 1980.”

Parliament said the government was late in submitting a bill to tax properties 0.1% across the board. To Hasikos, this was just a stalling tactic.

Hasikos said it did not mater when the government submitted the bill. When the discussion got to the rate of taxation – whether it would be 0.1% across the board as the government proposed, or staggered depending on value, parliament would have led the discussion into a never ending vastness.

“It would be the last time we’re going with 1980s values. I understand parliament will vote in September or October so that in 2016 we will proceed with 2013 values,” the minister said.

Asked how he could be sure, since 2016 is general election year, Hasikos said he wished to believe that certain things should be decided conclusively, irrespective of elections or other petty expediency.

Source: Cyprus Mail