Huliak: Transaction Tax Can't Be Altered, It's Part of This Year's Budget

(TA3, 'V politike', April 13) Speaking on TA3's discussion programme 'V politike' (In Politics) on Sunday, in connection with proposals to amend the transaction tax, Tourism and Sports Minister Rudolf Huliak (Independent) said the tax is an integral part of this year’s state budget and is expected to generate €700–800 million, adding thatit can't be changed now and should be given time, while opposition MP Tamara Stohlova (Progressive Slovakia/PS) called the tax a disaster stifling economic activity. "In times of consolidation, we should be supporting economic activity and growth. Instead, we have a tax that punishes people for trying. It doesn't matter whether a business is in loss, just starting out, or making a profit, this tax affects everyone. It's pushing us back in time, as we see entrepreneurs urging their clients and customers to start paying in cash. We're returning to the 'cash' era," the MP explained. However, Huliak doesn't see any problem with returning to cash payments, which he believes should be enshrined in the constitution. Stohlova noted that PS submitted an amendment in Parliament to abolish the transaction tax already in May, but MPs refused to vote on it. "They were afraid that people such as Andrej Danko, including others, might vote for the proposal. We said we're ready to provide 33 votes to abolish the transaction tax, and that still stands," the MP responded. lin