NGOs dealing with public mistrust, state taxation

NGOs are viewed with suspicion by a large segment of the public and are subject to what some of their leaders call “punitive” taxation by the state, according to a presentation by the Bodossaki Foundation.

Only one in four respondents (26.4%) to a survey by think-tank DiaNEOsis trust NGOs. About 70% said the NGOs are hiding their true aims, which they say involve tax avoidance, political and other goals. And only 10.3% say it is the NGOs that address social issues most effectively, compared to 39.4% for the state, 17.5% for charitable foundations and 12.2% for private enterprise. Also, only one in three respondents say they know enough about NGO activities.

The state not only taxes NGOs, to the tune of 22%, but also imposes income tax and VAT on contributions from the private sector. “Someone must have decided that NGOs are pocketing donations,” said Food Bank president Panagis Vourloumis.

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