Dialogos

Audit Report Reveals €8.5 Million 'Haircut' in Property Sale Without Proper Scrutiny

Published February 10, 2026, 09:05
Audit Report Reveals €8.5 Million 'Haircut' in Property Sale Without Proper Scrutiny

An audit report has revealed serious omissions and potential irregularities in a large property sale transaction handled by the Tax Department between 2015 and 2017. The initial sale price of €19.35 million was reduced by €8.5 million six months later, without adequate justification, resulting in a transformation of an expected profit into a loss of €7.7 million. The report also highlights inaccuracies in the project's cost, potential artificial inflation of expenses, and violations of International Accounting Standards. Furthermore, the report mentions transactions between related parties that were not adequately investigated by the tax authorities. The utilization of the Cyprus Investment Program, with the issuance of preferential shares at prices inconsistent with the loss-making picture of the property sale, is a further subject of investigation. Ultimately, the property ended up with members of the original owner's family. The Audit Office finds that the Tax Department was aware of and involved in the case, but did not proceed with a substantial audit, which may have negatively impacted public revenues. The report emphasizes the need to strengthen controls and establish targeted procedures for the early detection of high-risk transactions. This report raises serious questions about transparency and accountability in property transactions and the effectiveness of tax audits in Cyprus. The lack of adequate justification for the price reduction and the absence of investigation into transactions between related parties raise suspicions of potential illegal activities.