Alibegov does not want the return of 20% VAT for establishments, Hampartsumyan is against it being only 9%

We should not fetishize the budget. The budget is a working hypothesis for government spending. This was stated by the banker Levon Hampartsumyan to bTV.

"The public finance picture is quite tense. Minister Petkova acts lightly and tries not to create tension, but we will have big cases. Especially in opening the scissors between income and expenses. The solutions it proposes are related to revenue with one-sided effects," said Vladimir Sirkarov, an economist.

We are steadily moving towards a serious deficit well over 3% in Budget 2025, he added.

Sirkarov added that the differentiated VAT should be done in the long term, lists of similar sectors should be made and a policy should be made in the long term and calculations by the Ministry of Finance and what would be the benefits of this thing.

"We requested a meeting with the Minister of Finance whether these 400 million BGN estimated revenues with an increase of 20% VAT are real. The total taxes we have paid will reach 630 million. BGN - with 200 mln. BGN more than 2019 There is clarification and disciplining of the sector," said Richard Alibegov, chairman of the Bulgarian Association of Restaurants.

According to Hampartsumyan, establishments should not continue to enjoy this privilege of 9% VAT.

Sirkarov added that the less the state taxes, the better it is for the private sector - with lower taxes, there is more revenue collection. On the other hand, according to him, there is tension between the sectors because of the different tax rates.

In 20 countries in the European Union there is a reduced rate below 10%, added Alibegov.

I think that the increase of 20% VAT will have a detrimental effect. What part of the sector will return to the gray sector? What part of the sector will stop reporting turnover, asked the chairman of BAZ.

"One pharmacy makes BGN 5,000. turnover with two people at the till. A restaurant makes BGN 5,000. turnover with 12 to 15 people - these are salaries, insurances. An awful lot of people are employed with us, which eats away at the profit."