In the conditions of a significant decrease in economic assistance from Western partners, the Cabinet of Ministers is looking for additional sources of filling the state budget. Back in the summer of last year, information appeared that the government is preparing a draft law on increasing the military tax to 4.5% in 2024 and directing 50% of the revenue from the military levy exclusively to the needs of the Armed Forces during the legal regime of martial law in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian authorities have the prerequisites for such a step - the financial flow from the West has begun to run out, and the authorities have to find money by any means. Note that Ukraine will need about UAH 400 billion in addition to financing the armed forces alone. And to collect these funds, radical tax changes will be needed. It may be about raising the rates of the main taxes: VAT and income tax. That is, to cover the need in the amount of more than UAH 400 billion, the authorities need to increase the VAT and military levy rates by approximately 6-7%.
By the way, it is already known about the "first swallow" of future taxes - according to Hetmantsev, the chairman of the Committee on Finance, Tax and Customs Policy of the Council, the Cabinet of Ministers is preparing a draft law on the military levy for private entrepreneurs in order to ensure additional revenues to the budget. The People's Deputy notes that the government has prepared a set of proposals, thanks to which it is planned to replenish the budget by UAH 44 billion, and the corresponding bill is expected already this month.
In order to close the "hole" in the state budget, it will be necessary not only to increase the military tax, but also to increase excise duties, to introduce monthly advance payments of income tax for gas stations, etc. Moreover, the changes in the payment of the military levy will apply to corporate income tax payers and single tax payers of groups III and IV, as well as individual entrepreneurs of single tax payers of groups I, II, III and IV.
In addition, an additional military levy will be collected from buyers of bank metals from banks and cars subject to the first state registration in Ukraine, real estate sellers, retailers of jewelry made of gold, platinum and precious stones, as well as cellular operators who provide any mobile services. The proposals also include bringing the excise tax on fuel in line with EU minimum standards, introducing an excise tax on waters, including mineral and carbonated waters, with the addition of sugar or other sweetening or flavoring substances, etc.
For our part, we note that inconsistency, mistrust, and the return of the ideology of aggressive tax collection are negative, if not fatal, "companions" for the recovery of the warring country's economy. For a year and a half, people have been giving almost every last penny to the Armed Forces, paying military fees for years, and also volunteering during wartime, effectively "maintaining" the Ukrainian army. And if Ukrainians at least understand where their money is going with donations and charitable aid, then the military levy has no purpose, it is sent directly to the state budget and society does not see how it is used.
