LISBON: Portuguese Finance Ministry stated that more than 40,000 taxpayers have been listed publicly on the Treasury’s official website for large and overdue taxes owed to the state. According to the list, the number of the state’s debtors with taxes of more than €1million outstanding has risen to close to 200. Ten of these taxpayers currently have debts in excess of €5million each owed to the Treasury.
The list initially only covered those who owed more than €50,000 to the taxman, but has since been revised to include individuals who owe €7,500 or more while companies are listed once their debts exceed €10,000. The Finance Ministry first started naming and shaming tax debtors on its website back in 2006.
The list, while intended to serve as an additional incentive for people to settle their debts, also includes companies who have declared bankruptcy, with the many millions listed as being outstanding, unlikely to be paid.
