On Tuesday, the PS approved nine opposition measures to amend the state budget for 2024 (OE2024), the lowest number since the opening of the specialty, the day the IUC increase was canceled.
On the third day of voting on the OE2024 specialty in the Budget and Finance Committee (BFC), where fiscal issues predominated, the controversy surrounding the increase in the Unified Turnover Tax (STT) for vehicles until 2007 was ended by the approval of the PS amendment to the original intention of the socialist government.
All parties had proposals to cancel this increase, which drew a lot of ink and attracted a lot of criticism, but the PS made them impossible.
In contrast to what happened in the first two days, there were few proposals from opposition parties on Tuesday, made possible by the PS’s absolute majority, with parties such as PCP, BE, IL and, again, Chega, left with zero.
Among the nearly 30 approved changes to the PS are an increase in the IRS deduction for household income from the current 502 euros to 600 euros, the possibility of deducting part of the expenses for domestic workers from the IRS, as well as for companies that will increase the wages of their employees by at least 5% in 2024 year, may pay employee benefits in the form of profit sharing, which is exempt from the IRS.
PAN scored five victories on Tuesday, extending the under-23 free pass to 18 to 23-year-olds on vocational training courses and ensuring that chairs and seats for children on bicycles now have an intermediate VAT rate (13%) and the creation of an emergency program to protect the Iberian wolf.
The SDP received the green light for three of its proposals (one of which was only part of a proposal after the PS vote changed direction at the end of the day), including an increase from 15% to 30% VAT deduction on invoices for gyms, health facilities and sports activities clubs.
The only proposal from Livre that was approved was that the purchase, installation, maintenance and repair of equipment for the capture and use of solar, wind and geothermal energy would now be subject to a reduced VAT rate (6%).
Debate and voting on the specialty began last Thursday and will continue until Wednesday, culminating in a final global vote on the document.
On Tuesday, the last day of voting in the COF, several amendment proposals were postponed at the request of PAN and Livre.
The President of the Republic announced the dissolution of the Assembly of the Republic and called early elections for March 10, following the resignation of Prime Minister António Costa.
However, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa delayed the publication of the decree until January, allowing for a vote on the budget proposal and the entry into force of OE2024.
The new government formed as a result of the next elections may, if it wishes, introduce amendments to the budget.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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