BRATISLAVA, March 20, (WEBNOVINY) – A bank tax will be introduced in Slovakia, but in a different form than the opposition SMER-SD proposes, stated Finance Minister Ivan Miklos (SDKU-DS) on air of the public-service Slovak Television (STV) on Sunday noon. SMER-SD proposed the bank levy at 0.73 percent of selected liabilities. Miklos said that introduction of the new bank tax is currently under preparations coordinately within the European Union and unless a major progress is achieved, it should be introduced this year with effect as of next year. The bank levy as proposed by the opposition party would damage the economy and reflect in higher bank fees, the minister alleged.
Former finance minister Jan Pociatek and current MP for the SMER-SD party explained that the reason why the previous government of Robert Fico (SMER-SD) did not impose the bank levy was that they were waiting for outcomes of a discussion on taxation of banks within the European space, which ended as late as in the summer. According to Pociatek, a lot of banks misuse their positions. He pointed out that interest rates on mortgages in Slovakia are highest in the euro zone. Pociatek underscored that banks have raised their fees even without the bank levy being introduced. “Again, it is a very specific position of banks and I think the incumbent government will proceed as it always has, in white gloves towards banks”, he said.
In the discussion program of the Slovak Television, the finance minister rejected allegations that he was not willing to debate the prepared reform of payroll levies with partners. “We are looking for a consensus”, he said. Miklos claims that the aim is to minimize the burden on the self-employed, but on the other hand to “patch up the holes”. He stressed that an accord would have to be found as soon as possible if the new system was to be introduced as of January 2013.
SITA