Tax collection goals in itself with the government
Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir, chairman of the Independence Party, says that the government’s tax increases have become as a goal in itself. The Minister of Finance rejects the raising of taxes.
This was stated in unprepared inquiries in Parliament.
Gudrun began his case by drawing attention to the fact that the government intends to abolish the joint taxation of couples and cohabitants between tax levels.
« I have previously pointed out that this change is mainly affected by homes where another parent is temporarily with lower incomes – due to study, illness, maternity leave or childcare. Homes are already facing challenges: Housing costs are high, food prices in historical heights and interest rates have been high, » she said.
Have been « carefully reviewed » over the consequences
She pointed out that at the same time, the consequences of the US customs policy that could have a chain -effect on Iceland would have to be considered, although customs policy is largely directed in a large economic area.
« That’s why I ask the Most High Minister of Finance: Why does the government choose to increase the levy in the country’s home – right now – when economic vision is uncertain, international conditions are unstable, and households are already under pressure? » Gudrun asked.
Dadi Már Kristófersson, Minister of Finance and Economy, answered the inquiry, saying that the consequences of joint taxation and abolition had been carefully reviewed.
« I would like to draw the attention of the parliamentary world to the fact that this applies only to the utilization of tax levels and not the utilization of a personal discount that remains unchanged, » said Dadi.
Disagree on the consequences
He said the tax authorities’ research on who has taken advantage of joint taxation did not confirm what Gudrun said, but that it was primarily people in the « top of the income distribution, where there is really some difference in tax levels. »
Gudrun then took the case back and said it was fundamental in fiscal policy that the nation could trust that the assumptions were in progress.
« That when taxes are raised, or new levies, it is clear why – and what the goal is. But in the debate on the government’s financial plan, this simple demand seems to be set aside. »
Tax collection goals in itself
Last week, discussions on a financial plan had to be postponed, with no measurable goals in the government’s financial plan nor a scale for all financial planning areas. However, these are data that has been followed by a financial plan in recent years.
Gudrun said that the plans for increased revenue generation were set out without demonstrating what the impact would be in the country’s home.
« There is no data on which groups bear the burdens – only statements that the state needs more money. It is like tax collection has become a goal in itself, no tools to build a better community. Those who have to pay more will receive no answers – not about the purpose, not the consequences, » Gudrun said.
Gudrun said that in addition, this was not yet the necessary analysis and calculations that allow Parliament to assess the impact.
« That’s why I ask the Most High Minister of Finance: How can a government that introduced it in its first press conference that taxes would not be raised on the public, justified that the first job is to do exactly that?
Not a levy on the public
Dadi Már then reiterated that the change only affected the upper part of the income distribution.
« It can hardly be argued that this is a public levy and then wants to recall with a high -ranking MP that there is both a financial policy and a financial plan that shows that the state’s proportion of GDP is a continuous period of the financial plan. There are no tax increases, » he said.
