Tax amnesty unconstitutional, says AG

THE tax amnesty law passed on Monday by the Plenum could be referred back to Parliament by President Tassos Papadopoulos as unconstitutional.

The new law, which provides the cancellation of interest and fines on taxes owed up to December 31, 2002, was deemed unconstitutional by the Attorney-general.

Speaking to CyBC yesterday, Government Spokesman Vasilis Palmas referred to the AG’s opinion but said he couldn’t predict whether President Papadopoulos would refer the law back to Parliament or not.

“You will allow me to have my reservations. The President of the Republic, as you know, is focused on matters that concern the Constitution and the laws,” he said.

“There is an initial opinion by the Attorney-general that this bill passed by Parliament regarding the tax amnesty is unconstitutional,” Palmas added. “But it would be wrong on my behalf to predict what will be the decision of the President of the Republic, who has the sole authority to deal with this matter.”

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