As winter approaches, so does the question of whether you are entitled to the heating allowance. The allowance is paid by the tax authority to households that meet income and property criteria and buy heating fuel in the correct way. Most problems do not come from the criteria, but from mistakes in the receipts and in the details of the application.
How the allowance works
The logic is simple: you apply on the tax authority platform, you buy fuel within the period that is set, and the allowance is calculated on the purchases recorded against your tax number. It is usually paid in instalments during the winter and spring. The exact dates, amounts and thresholds are set each year by a joint ministerial decision.
Which fuels are covered
Depending on the decision for each year, the following are usually covered:
- heating oil
- natural gas and LPG
- biomass (pellets) and firewood
- district heating, where it exists
What affects the amount
The amount depends on income, the number of children, the type of fuel and the area, because a temperature coefficient is applied. In Achaia this matters: a household in Patras or along the coast will not have the same coefficient as a house in Kalavryta or in the mountain villages.
The application step by step
- log in to the tax authority platform with your Taxisnet codes once it opens
- state your main residence and the electricity supply number
- select the type of fuel
- if you live in an apartment building with central heating, check that the building manager has submitted the building details
- check that the IBAN in your details is correct and in your name
The receipts: this is where the allowance is lost
The allowance is calculated on the purchases transmitted to the tax authority. If the receipt was not issued against your tax number, or the product was not recorded correctly, the purchase may not count. To be safe:
- always give your tax number at the time of purchase and check the document before the supplier leaves
- keep the receipts until the whole allowance has been paid
- buy within the period set by the decision for that year
- in an apartment building, ask the manager to confirm that the allocation by share has been submitted
Common mistakes
- an application with the wrong electricity supply number or address
- purchases made against the tax number of another family member
- a tax return that was not filed, or that had errors in the dependants
- an undeclared lease, for those who rent
For other benefits, see our guides to the housing allowance and the child benefit (A21). If you are not sure whether you are eligible, contact us and we will check it together.
If you would like our office to handle it for you, see TAXGROUP services.
Frequently asked questions
When does the heating allowance platform open?
The tax authority platform opens each year after the relevant decision is issued, usually at the start of the heating season. The exact dates are announced every time.
I live in an apartment building with central heating. What do I need to do?
File your own application as normal and check that the building manager has submitted the building details, the fuel purchases and the share allocation for each apartment.
What if I forgot to give my tax number when buying heating oil?
Contact the supplier immediately. They can often correct the document if not much time has passed. If the purchase does not appear against your tax number, it is not counted.
Is the heating allowance taxed?
Allowances of this type are usually not taxed and not subject to seizure. Check the decision for the current year for your own case.