We are once again in the midst of tax season, and at SolidarityNow, we are highlighting the work of the Accounting Support Service operating at the Athens Solidarity Center.

What many experience as just another tedious bureaucratic task, for others, it becomes a crucial tool for becoming visible. Being “seen” by the state, having one’s information officially recorded, grants people rights (and obligations, of course) that can significantly ease their lives. This means that if the state recognizes them and records their information, they automatically gain rights and obligations that make their lives easier, whether it is about joining a new society or rejoining one.

Access to accounting support, therefore, is not a luxury. It is a right and a necessary pathway toward a more stable daily life, especially for those in vulnerable situations.

The Accounting Service at the Athens Solidarity Center serves as a vital guide for hundreds of beneficiaries. Their numbers grow significantly during the tax declaration period. This year’s submission period started on March 17 and will end in July 2025.

For instance, a person who doesn’t know how to apply for a Tax Identification Number (AFM), a Social Security Number (AMKA), submit a tax return, or request an allowance for seniors, children, or heating, or check whether they are eligible for the Minimum Guaranteed Income, risks losing critical benefits, many of which are essential to their well-being.

Thanks to the step-by-step guidance provided by the Accounting Service team, beneficiaries are supported in understanding what they need to do, how to do it, and what it means for their lives.

The service is open to all and provided free of charge. It exists to simplify complex processes, with empathy, clarity, and professionalism.

A series of short videos shared on the organization’s social media pages showcases the work and impact of this service in more detail.

Discover the full tribute on the organization’s pages on Facebook and Instagram.

The Athens Solidarity Center project is implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Migration and Asylum and funding from the Swiss-Greek Cooperation Programme in Greece (Embassy of Switzerland in Greece), for three years starting August 1st, 2023.