Danko: I Fail to Grasp Finance Ministry's Approach Regarding Transaction Tax

Bratislava, May 28 (TASR) - The Finance Ministry doesn't want to listen to arguments or back down when it comes to the coalition Slovak National Party's (SNS) proposals to adjust the transaction tax, SNS chair Andrej Danko declared on Wednesday. Danko added that he doesn't understand the ministry's approach and that he strongly objects to its statements on the matter. SNS insists on its motion to cancel the transaction tax for sole traders and small businesses. On Tuesday (27 May), the Finance Ministry stated that SNS's proposal to modify the financial transaction tax, which is on the agenda of the current parliamentary session, has serious technical and legislative flaws. Moreover, it could jeopardise this year's state budget and the government's consolidation efforts in the coming years. "Our proposal is clear and understandable. I don't consider it to be a burden to document whether a company has a turnover of 100,000 euros or not. We won't change our position," emphasised Danko. According to the SNS chair, he is presenting Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenicky (Smer-SD) with "logical points" and specific examples from practice to support changes in the transaction tax. He also disagrees with the Ministry's revenue loss estimates, which predict significant state income shortfalls if these changes are implemented. Danko said that he would continue to seek an agreement within the governing coalition, not with the opposition. "In my opinion, there's a misunderstanding of practical reality when it comes to the transaction tax. We would abolish it for small businesses, and if the Finance Ministry continues in this way, then not only will I advocate for its abolition for small businesses, but we'll scrap it for the entire business sector. That's because the ministry stubbornly keeps talking only about new taxes in the future," declared Danko, adding that he also wants to prevent, for example, an increase in property tax on apartments. mf/df