Schillerová will not support the abolition of the property acquisition tax

Prague - Finance Minister Alena Schillerová (ANO) will not support the opposition's proposed abolition of the property acquisition tax. In the future, the tax could be abolished as part of a comprehensive reform of property taxes. She stated this today on the program Partie on TV Prima.

"If we were to abolish the acquisition tax in the future, and I believe that this vision is correct in its way, we need to incorporate it into a comprehensive reform of property taxes," Schillerová said. The individual abolition of the tax in a so-called salami method, as proposed by the opposition, is, in her opinion, not feasible. The latest senatorial proposal to abolish the tax was rejected by the Chamber of Deputies this week. Only the proposal for exemption for apartments in family houses was passed.

The abolition of the four percent tax, which represents an income for the state budget of 13.6 billion CZK annually, is proposed by opposition deputies as part of amendments to the government budget package, which aims to increase both income and expenses by 20 billion CZK. According to former finance minister Miroslav Kalousek (TOP 09), it is irresponsible of the government to increase expenses alongside the expected increase in income instead of reducing the deficit.

The tax rate on acquisition is four percent and has been paid by the buyer since 2016. Previously, it was paid by the seller, and the buyer was in the position of guarantor.