Greece to target tax debtors with foreign assets

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece says it will target major tax debtors who hold assets abroad, a new bid to boost coffers weakened by the country's political and economic crisis.

The finance ministry says the drive will focus on the top 1,500 on the list of Greece's tax debtors, as well as taxpayers who have filed for bankruptcy.

Tax inspectors will seek whether their targets have sent money abroad over the past two years, own real estate in Britain or receive interest on deposits abroad.

If so, European Union governments will be asked to help Greece recoup the debts, Monday's ministry statement said.

Greece has had little success in tackling widespread tax evasion, although since November police have arrested 502 people who owe a total of nearly €1 billion ($1.25 billion) to the state.