The Accelerate the Economy Program, presented by the Government last week “there are 60 measures but no strategy†, says Ana Gomes.
The fact that the Government does not quantify the costs of the package shows that it represents little more than a set of “fiscal freebies†. It’s “a real blow to the rich,†says the SIC NotÃcias commentator, and someone will have to pay. By “someone†read workers and pensioners.
Ana Gomes recalls that there are several liberal economists who recognize that “it is not a reduction in IRC that will attract foreign investment†and refers to a recent study by the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation where, although defend the reduction of the nominal tax rate, it is recognized that it is necessary, in return, increase VAT, IRS or cut social benefits.
“The Government has a neoliberal aim to grow the economy,†laments Ana Gomes, who also recalls the proposal to reduce the IRS for young people, already criticized by the IMF. It is a measure with an annual cost of 1 billion euros, which, if approved, will benefit young people regardless of training, profession or income level. The loss of revenue is to add to the 500 million euros in IRC – in addition to the budgetary impact that comes from a wide range of tax benefits for companies announced by the Government.
No usual space for comments, on SIC Notícias, Ana Gomes also analyzed the interview with prosecutor Rosário Teixeira, the sentence in the case of Cláudia Simões, Chega’s “Capitólio moment†and the hearing of Nuno Rebelo de Sousa at the commission of investigation into the case of the twins.
