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Corruption Authority Set To Release Third Inquiry Report on Tax Department Practices

The Independent Authority Against Corruption is poised to make public its third investigative report, with the Tax Department taking center stage. Recent reliable information confirms that this forthcoming finding highlights significant issues within the Tax Department, as disclosed by the Transparency Commissioner and Head of the Authority, Haris Pogiatjis, during his recent address in the Parliament.

Tax Department Inquiry In Focus

According to verified sources, two of the three reports pertain to complaints raised by MP Christos Christofides and the widely followed Trimiklini case. The third, by contrast, relates to an earlier allegation submitted by a senior Tax Department official. Although details remain sparse, this report will determine whether the investigation reveals potential criminal or disciplinary liabilities.

Investigation Methodology And Approval Process

The Authority’s process is rigorous: once the inspection teams compile a final report, a concise explanatory document is drafted. Authority members then review and approve this document prior to any public disclosure. This careful vetting ensures that any publication of names or sensitive details adheres strictly to legal protocols.

Details Of The Allegation

Sources indicate that the complaint, rooted in events dating back to the mid-2000s, alleges malpractice within the Tax Department. The complainant, having accused the department of improper conduct before the proper authorities, subsequently faced retaliatory measures. In his detailed submission, the senior official criticized the unfaltering intolerance toward misconduct and the subsequent disciplinary proceedings that were initiated.

Procedural And Disciplinary Implications

The complaint further accuses the official of becoming a target of a systematic campaign, stating that he pursued appeals to the Administrative Court in efforts to block the promotion of unqualified colleagues. Correspondence related to these issues was sent both to the Public Service Committee and to the General Prosecutor’s Office. A formal disciplinary inquiry had been launched against the complainant, which scrutinized not only this matter but also earlier incidents involving a business leader and a prominent football club official, as well as a letter to the former President of the Republic.

Upcoming Findings And Complementary Investigations

Parliamentary announcements indicate that a report on this inquiry is expected to be released by the end of November. The Authority will also determine, pursuant to existing legislation, whether the identities of those involved should be revealed. In a related development, findings from MP Christofides’ complaints—focused on two specific allegations regarding foreign investors and issues tied to the Promsvyazbank case—are projected for publication next week. This latter inquiry scrutinizes transactions and affiliations that have raised considerable public and political interest.

The forthcoming reports are expected to shed new light on both longstanding and contemporary issues within Cyprus’s public institutions, reinforcing the imperative for transparency and accountability at the highest levels.

Cyprus Income Distribution 2024: An In-Depth Breakdown of Economic Classes

New findings from the Cyprus Statistical Service offer a comprehensive analysis of the nation’s income stratification in 2024. The report, titled Population By Income Class, provides critical insights into the proportions of the population that fall within the middle, upper, and lower income brackets, as well as those at risk of poverty.

Income Distribution Overview

The data for 2024 show that 64.6% of the population falls within the middle income class – a modest increase from 63% in 2011. However, it is noteworthy that the range for this class begins at a comparatively low threshold of €15,501. Meanwhile, 27.8% of the population continues to reside in the lower income bracket (a figure largely unchanged from 27.7% in 2011), with nearly 14.6% of these individuals identified as at risk of poverty. The upper income class accounted for 7.6% of the population, a slight decline from 9.1% in 2011.

Income Brackets And Their Thresholds

According to the report, the median equivalent disposable national income reached €20,666 in 2024. The upper limit of the lower income class was established at €15,500, and the threshold for poverty risk was set at €12,400. The middle income category spans from €15,501 to €41,332, while any household earning over €41,333 is classified in the upper income class. The median equivalents for each group were reported at €12,271 for the lower, €23,517 for the middle, and €51,316 for the upper income classes.

Methodological Insights And Comparative Findings

Employing the methodology recommended by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the report defines the middle income class as households earning between 75% and 200% of the national median income. In contrast, incomes exceeding 200% of the median classify households as upper income, while those earning below 75% fall into the lower income category.

Detailed Findings Across Income Segments

  • Upper Income Class: Comprising 73,055 individuals (7.6% of the population), this group had a median equivalent disposable income of €51,136. Notably, the share of individuals in this category has contracted since 2011.
  • Upper Middle Income Segment: This subgroup includes 112,694 people (11.7% of the population) with a median income of €34,961. Combined with the upper income class, they represent 185,749 individuals.
  • Middle Income Group: Encompassing 30.3% of the population (approximately 294,624 individuals), this segment reports a median disposable income of €24,975.
  • Lower Middle And Lower Income Classes: The lower middle income category includes 22.2% of the population (211,768 individuals) with a median income of €17,800, while the lower income class accounts for 27.8% (267,557 individuals) with a median income of €12,271.

Payment Behaviors And Economic Implications

The report also examines how income levels influence repayment behavior for primary residence loans or rental payments. Historically, households in the lower income class have experienced the greatest delays. In 2024, 27.0% of those in the lower income bracket were late on payments—a significant improvement from 34.6% in 2011. For the middle income class, late payments were observed in 9.9% of cases, down from 21.4% in 2011. Among the upper income class, only 3% experienced delays, compared to 9.9% previously.

This detailed analysis underscores shifts in income distribution and repayment behavior across Cyprus, reflecting broader economic trends that are critical for policymakers and investors to consider as they navigate the evolving financial landscape.

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