The draft law of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on increasing the tax base, which caused a lot of controversy and criticism, will not be adopted in its initial form. People's Deputy of Ukraine Yaroslav Zheleznyak stated this at a briefing, noting that the government initiative will undergo significant changes.
"The government bill in this form will not be adopted. Everything, they forgot about him. I have a feeling that in the next plenary week we will start considering the draft law in the first reading of the new version, which will either be introduced by deputies from the coalition, or by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. There will be many changes that will come as a result of negotiations with the business. Well, a lot," said Zheleznyak.
The politician believes that the revised version of the draft law will retain the provision on military conscription, but other initiatives are still under question. He emphasized that the government and the Ministry of Finance should take into account the need for additional funds, which can reach from 80 to 125 billion hryvnias.
"It will be a much different text. But, once again, this is a question for the coalition, for the government," said the deputy, stressing that taking into account the comments of business will be a key aspect in the formation of the new edition.
Zheleznyak also expressed doubts about the possibility of a VAT increase, indicating that the chances of this currently remain low. He emphasized that this decision will depend on how much money will be needed to meet state needs.
We will remind that on July 18, the government adopted two draft laws on raising taxes and increasing military expenditures of the state budget. They were submitted for consideration by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. The press service of the Ministry of Finance explained that the increase in taxes was caused by the need to find an additional 500.3 billion hryvnias to ensure the critical needs of the state, in particular defense funding.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the main part of additional funds for defense financing (361.6 billion hryvnias) will be provided at the expense of internal borrowings, excess of current state budget revenues and savings on certain expenses. The other 138.7 billion hryvnias are planned to be obtained through the revision of the military levy, excise taxes and other measures, in particular, the introduction of an excise tax on sweet drinks.
