This Wednesday, in the Social Consultation, the National Council of Employers’ Federations (CNCP) proposed to the government a reduction in the single social tax (TSU) by one percentage point for the part that accrues to the employer, which currently amounts to 23.75%. , but the proposal was rejected by the government.
The proposal was presented during the meeting that took place at the Economic and Social Council (CES) in Lisbon, where the social partners were heard on the proposals for the 2024 state budget (OE2024), which should be submitted by the government to parliament . on October 10.
In the document to which Lusa had access, the employers’ federations propose 24 measures – some split into several points – including the reduction of the “global contribution in the part relating to the employer, accompanied by a fair increase in the value of the Value added tax [IVA]”.
Currently, the global social security contribution rate is 34.75%, with 23.75% going to the employer and 11% to the employee.
“In the current context where companies are expected to make efforts on wages, it makes sense for the government to accompany these efforts by reducing the premiums borne by the employer.”defends the CNCP.
“So that the measure does not have an impact on the social security budget, compensation could be considered by transferring a fair amount of VAT revenues”add the bosses.
However, the government has rejected the proposal because the measure conflicts with the objective of sustainability of social security.
“I would like to recall the government’s historic position in not making decisions that could weaken the social security contribution base. The government has this position and maintains this position.”the finance minister declared when asked at the end of the meeting whether he would be available to discuss the bosses’ proposal.
‘We will discuss everything [as propostas]but our premise – contrary to what I said with regard to the IRS, that our premise is based on a process of enlightenment -, with regard to the TSU, our position is that it is not a path that deserves our positive opinion in the sense that conflicts with the objective of sustainability of social security”Fernando Medina emphasized.
Bosses are also proposing several measures to reduce the tax burden, namely VAT, IRC and IRS.
The confederations want “the reduction of the normal IRC rate to 17% and the rate applicable to SMEs and Small Mid Caps to 15%”.
Further, “from the perspective of the gradual abolition of the state surcharge” propose starting a process of “reversing the increase in the state surcharge so that only companies with a profit of more than 5 million euros are covered,” according to the document.
Still at the IRC level, they defend measures that minimize the impact of autonomous taxation until it is possible to abolish it.
As for the IRS, the CNCP proposes a revision of tax brackets “to reduce the level of taxation” and also an extension of the IRS collection deduction to all loans for the purchase of permanent housing. Please note that this deduction currently only applies to credits used up to and including December 31, 2011.
Another measure included in the document points to the suspension of the legal provision that, through the IRS Code and the Contribution Code, considers the grant of a house for housing and a subsistence allowance as income subject to taxes and social security contributions. by the company to employees.
This suspension, the document states, should continue as long as “the current situation in the housing sector continues.”
This Wednesday’s Social Consultation was the first after the summer holidays and agenda items include a consultation with the social partners on the OE2024 and the state of play regarding the income and competitiveness agreement signed in October between the government, the employers’ federations and the UGT.
Among the government members present at the meeting were the Ministers of Finance, Fernando Medina, of Labor, Ana Mendes Godinho, of the Economy, António Costa e Silva, and of Agriculture, Maria do Céu Antunes.
Source: DN
