The Bulgarian Economic Chamber (BSK) strongly opposes an extra 33% tax on so-called windfall profits from 2027 and wants the plan withdrawn. It set out its position in statements to parliament on the draft changes to the tax laws.
Under the drafts, banks, insurers, telecoms, some financial firms, currency exchange offices and some food retailers would pay the tax.
Employers also reject the final 7% tax on meal vouchers, including on amounts above €102.26. At the same time, BSK backs raising the monthly cap on vouchers from €102.26 to €200, and a bigger total yearly quota.
The chamber also objects to raising the rate on in-kind expenses from 3% to 7%. The rate applies when staff use company assets for personal needs. BSK says there is not enough analysis to justify more than doubling it. It points out that in 2022, after talks on the effect on the budget, the same rate was cut from 10% to 3%.
BSK also rejects keeping fines at the same figures when "leva" is replaced by "euro", in both the corporate income tax law and the law on local taxes and fees. The chamber estimates that fines and property penalties would in effect roughly double, and says this is not a technical currency conversion.
The chamber does not back the corporate tax changes as they stand and wants them reworked. It approves the steps to support investment and technology upgrades, but opposes the clauses that raise the tax burden, limit firms' rights and make the rules hard to predict.
On local taxes, BSK wants a more precise way to update tax assessments and a fuller impact study. Employers say the assessments need updating, because current values differ widely from economic reality. The chamber says any rise should reflect differences between towns and types of property, without raising the tax burden for no good reason.
Not all firms will be hit automatically, because for non-residential property the tax assessment is the higher of the book value and the value set by law. Firms whose new assessment goes above book value will face an extra burden. Deals in business property could also cost more when the agreed price is below the tax assessment.
On VAT and excise duties, BSK backs the aims, including the fight against illegal trade and better checks, as long as the rules are clear and do not add needless paperwork for firms. It says digital VAT reporting should not bring new paperwork, technical problems or unjustified penalties.
On income tax, the chamber approves the wider relief for families with children and the new relief for child development costs. It wants the rules known in advance and not tied to the budget each year. It also says the switch to the euro should not be a formal excuse for sharp rises in fines.
BSK backs the offsetting coefficients for 2027–2029 because they stop the household waste fee from rising automatically because of the new tax assessments. But it insists they should not become a lasting fix. The chamber says the fee should depend on the amount of waste and the services actually provided, in line with the "polluter pays" principle.
The budget and finance committee will discuss the drafts tomorrow at an extraordinary session.