SIC / EXPRESS
In an exclusive interview with SIC and Express, Miranda Sarmento says the government plans to return 500 million euros in IRS, widening the measure to the eighth level.
The finance minister ensures that only cataclysm will prevent Portugal from reaching a budgetary surplus this year. Joaquim Miranda Sarmento appeals to the responsibility of the PS and arrives at the IRS return vote, scheduled to reach the taxpayers’ accounts in September or October – precisely on the municipal elections.
The government wants to propose again the return of 500 million euros into IRS, widening the measure to those in the eighth level of income. The goal is for the Portuguese to feel tax relief already in the fall.
Faced with the electoral calendar, Miranda Sarmento rejects any electoralist intention.
“We don’t do this for this reason. The faster the Portuguese feel the impact, the better for everyone,” he argues.
The measure will have to be approved in Parliament, where, last year, PS and arrive changed the original government proposal. The finance minister now leaves an appeal to the opposition benches: “I hope this time there is responsibility and accept the way the government intends to lower the IRS.”
Regarding the state’s extraordinary revenues, Miranda Sarmento highlights the thousand to 1.600 million euros expected with the sale of Novo Banco to the French group BPCE.
“This sale has several advantages. The first is that there is a large European bench genuinely interested in the Portuguese market. The bulk of revenue will serve to slaughter public debt,” he says.
This value also adds about 300 million euros in dividends, which can help reinforce the budget balance – at a time when the expense, especially with the defense, will increase substantially.
The government is committed to the goal of 2% of GDP for the defense, but Miranda Sarmento keeps the source of funding secret. It will be the prime minister to explain next week during the NATO summit.
Despite the increase in expense, the finance minister ensures that the budget surplus will remain in 0.3%.
“We are confident of economic growth and even more confident in the country’s budgetary situation. Portugal will have a budgetary surplus this year, unless something absolutely unexpected, at the level of a pandemic. Without a cataclysm, the country will have surplus. ”
It is also soon to choose the new governor of Banco de Portugal, but about the successor of Mario Centeno, Miranda Sarmento maintains silence.
