The possibility of establishing a new tax on alcoholic beverages is gaining strength with the arrival of a new wave of motions to the proposed tax plan proposed by the Executive Power.
The goal is to establish an additional charge to what is paid for the consumption of wines, beers, and spirits, and thereby finance part of the lack of resources of the State.
One of the proposals is from National Restoration Legislator Jonathan Prendas who promotes an additional amount of ₡84 per consumption unit for all alcoholic beverages whether national or imported.
According to his proposal, the beneficiary entities of the resources generated by this tax may allocate a maximum of 10% of the total received for administrative expenses. This ensures that its use is for areas that really need it, especially new investments.
This distribution proposal is similar to one of the proposals launched last week by the executive chairman of the CCSS Román Macaya, who pointed out that one should think of a tax to finance the entity.
Several sectors oppose creating a direct tax to all citizens due to apparent administrative disorders in the entity, non-compliance of suppliers that have not received sanctions, and a budget under-execution rate that exceeded 10% last year.
The tax is established for beers and coolers of 350 ml, wines, sparkling and cider of 125 ml, creams, vermouth, sherry, port, punch and eggnog of 75 ml, and other alcoholic beverages of 31.25 ml.
The second proposal to assess alcoholic beverages comes from the representative of Frente Amplio José María Villalta, in which case the proposed amount is ₡ 12 per unit of consumption of the same beverages established by Prendas.
Unlike the first proposal, this one does not stipulate a specific destination for the resources but is left open so that the State uses them as needed.
If an agreement is reached, there would be enough votes for this to move up in the legislative committee that will start discussing the issue starting next week.
In total, just over 900 motions were submitted to the fiscal plan. Once analyzed and discussed, the project will go to the legislative plenary without the possibility of new changes being made, so that the full Congress can only approve or reject the project.