Parliament on Tuesday approved a package of measures aimed at consolidating public finances, which is expected to bring more than €1.5 billion into the budget next year.
The government bill, which is aimed at amending several laws in connection with improving the state of public finances, was dealt with via fast-tracked legislative proceedings.
The package includes extraordinary taxation of banks, an extension of the solidarity contribution from oil, an increase in excise taxes on alcohol and tobacco, but also a reduction in the contribution to the 2nd pension pillar and an increase in the health-care levy.
Seventy-eight of the 135 MPs voted for the package, 49 were against and eight refrained from voting.
A special levy will apply to banks and other entities operating under licences issued by the central bank (NBS). It should bring €336 million into the state budget. The levy will amount to 30 percent and will decline by 5 percent annually until 2027. Banks will pay this levy only if they show a profit.
Another measure due to take effect as of the beginning of next year is an increase in VAT on alcohol in restaurants, which should earn €27 million for the state budget. Excise tax on spirits will be adjusted as well, but it won't apply to beer and wine. The state should gain almost €18 million thanks to the measure.
Next on the list of approved measures is an extension of the solidarity contribution from activities in the oil, natural gas, coal and refinery sectors. It should bring an additional €179.8 million into state coffers.
Excise tax on tobacco should go up as of February 1 by some 40 euro cents per pack. The state should gain an additional income of €106 million in this way.
A minimum tax on the incomes of corporate entities, or the so-called tax licence, will be reintroduced under the package, which will contribute €102.4 million to the state budget.
Withholding tax on dividends will be increased from 7 percent to 10 percent. The measures also include the reintroduction of tax on private individuals' incomes from cryptocurrencies.
Levies to the second (capitalisation) pension pillar will be reduced from the current 5.5 percent to 4 percent. The state will gain almost €365 million thanks to this measure.
Today, the parliament is discussing the state budget.
(TASR)
