Breaking news

Tax Authority to Administer Refunds on Excess Healthcare Contributions Over €180,000

Overview Of The New Refund Process

The Health Insurance Organization (OAY) has announced that any contributions exceeding €180,000 paid into the General Healthcare System Fund (ΓΕΣΥ) for contribution years commencing on or after January 1, 2025 will be refunded directly by the Tax Office, in accordance with the Tax Confirmation and Collection Law. This marks a significant shift in the administrative process, transferring responsibility from OAY to the Tax Office for these specific cases.

Refund Procedures And Guidelines

For contributions pertaining to the year that ends on or before December 31, 2024, the refund process will continue to be handled by OAY based on the existing decisions on refunds for amounts exceeding the maximum contributions.

Extended Submission Period Under Revised Regulations

The announcement further clarifies that, in light of the amendments detailed in the 2025 decisions published in the Official Gazette on September 5, 2025, the deadline for submitting refund requests to OAY has been extended. Specifically, each refund claim must now be submitted within six years after the conclusion of the contribution year in question.

Accessing The New Refund Form

Interested parties seeking to file a refund claim for contributions exceeding €180,000 can obtain the new form directly from the OAY website under the GEΣΥ/Financial and General Accounting section. Detailed instructions and a direct hyperlink are provided for ease of access.

Implications For Contributors

This regulatory update streamlines the refund process and reinforces a robust oversight mechanism in line with current fiscal policies. Organizations and individuals alike should note these changes to ensure compliance and timely submission of claims, thereby avoiding any potential administrative delays.

Central Bank Of Cyprus Balance Sheet Reflects Strong Eurosystem Position

Overview Of Financial Stability

The Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) has released its latest balance sheet, reaffirming its steadfast role within the Eurosystem. The balance sheet, featuring total assets and liabilities of €29.545 billion, underscores the institution’s stable financial posture at the close of January 2026.

Asset Allocation And Strategic Holdings

Governor Christodoulos Patsalides issued the balance sheet, which details the CBC’s asset composition under the Eurosystem framework. Notably, the bank’s gold and gold receivables amounted to €1.635 billion, providing a significant hedge and stability to its balance sheet. Additional asset categories include claims on non-euro area residents denominated in foreign currency at €1.099 billion, while claims on euro area residents in both foreign and domestic currency add further depth to its portfolio.

The most substantial asset category, intra-Eurosystem claims, reached €19.438 billion, an indication of the CBC’s deep integration with its European counterparts. Furthermore, euro-denominated securities held by euro area residents contributed €6.587 billion. Despite a marked emphasis on these areas, lending to euro area credit institutions in monetary policy operations recorded no activity during the period.

Liability Structure And Monetary Policy Implications

On the liabilities side, banknotes in circulation contributed €3.218 billion. Liabilities to euro area credit institutions associated with monetary policy operations were notably the largest single category, totaling €17.636 billion. Supplementary liabilities included those to other euro area residents, which aggregated to €4.989 billion, with government liabilities playing a predominant role at €4.754 billion.

Other liability items, such as claims related to special drawing rights allocated by the International Monetary Fund at €494.193 million, and provisions of €596.571 million, further articulate the CBC’s exposure. Revaluation accounts stood at €1.643 billion, and overall capital and reserves were confirmed at €333.822 million, completing the picture of a well-capitalized institution.

Conclusive Insights And Strategic Alignment

The detailed breakdown illustrates the CBC’s sizeable intra-Eurosystem exposures, reinforcing its central role within Europe’s monetary landscape. With an asset-liability balance maintained at €29.545 billion, the CBC’s financial position remains robust, indicating a commitment to structural stability and strategic risk management.

This fiscal disclosure not only provides transparency into the CBC’s operations but also serves as a benchmark for comparative analysis among other central banks within the Eurosystem, highlighting the intricate balance between asset liquidity, regulatory oversight, and monetary policy imperatives.

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