Danko: Working Group to Start Addressing Transaction Tax Over Summer

Bratislava, 3 June (TASR) - The coalition's SNS party does not intend to push for changes to the transaction tax during the special emergency session of Parliament, due to be convened by the opposition in July, but a working group will set to work over the summer instead to resolve technical issues related to the tax so that the relevant amendment can be approved at the regular parliamentary session in September, SNS chair Andrej Danko stated at a press conference on Tuesday. Danko responded this way to a vote earlier in the day, during which Parliament, with the support of nearly all present MPs, moved to the second reading the SNS proposal to abolish the transaction tax for sole traders and small businesses with a turnover of up to €100,000. However, this reading is expected to take place as late as at the September session, with changes set to take effect as of October. The opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party has announced its intention to initiate an earlier special session on the matter. "I understand their effort, but a special session on this issue will not be technically possible. We'll do everything to ensure it gets approved in September," said Danko. Regarding Tuesday’s vote, he thanked all MPs, both coalition and opposition, who supported the SNS proposal. However, he emphasized that solutions should be sought within the coalition. mf