The Greek government announced Thursday it is shutting down bars and nightclubs in Athens that are guilty of tax offenses in an effort to put more teeth into revenue collection.
In what the Financial and Economic Crime Unit of the Ministry of Finance calls the "latest move to fight tax evasion," new legislation is being used that allow for the immediate closure for a limited time of businesses that fail to offer receipts.
So far, six bars and clubs have been shut down as par of a broader sweep where two-thirds of all inspected businesses were fined.
The absence of receipts allows businesses to avoid value added tax, or consumption tax, the Ministry of Finance said in a press release.
"Tax evasion is theft and represents a grave social injustice," the Ministry said. "The Greek government remains committed in its fight against tax avoidance and tax evasion and in its efforts to increase tax compliance."