The extraordinary contribution proposed in the food distribution sector will also focus on foreign groups that have a permanent establishment in Portugal. The bill presented by the Government Parliament creates two new temporary solidarity contributions (CST): one for the oil and gas sector (resulting from European regulations) and another for food distribution.
The criteria for the two CSTs essentially follow what was intended to tax windfall profits from oil and gas companies. In other words, it establishes the application of a 33% rate on taxable profits for the years 2022 and 2023 that exceed by 20% the average of the profits calculated between 2018 and 2021.
In the case of food distribution, the contribution provides for some exemptions, namely for micro or small businesses, but also for groups in which the food retail sector represents less than 25% of the total annual turnover.
The diploma also establishes that these contributions are not deductible for the purposes of calculating the tax base in IRC, which may mean that there will be a part of the results of these companies that will pay rates higher than 50%.
The proposal also determines the destination of the income collected from these contributions. In the case of food retail, support actions will be financed to increase the cost of food for the most vulnerable people provided by social sector entities, such as the Food Bank or Cáritas. Funds are also provided for consumer protection policy and for support measures for micro and small businesses in commerce, services and restaurants that have been most affected by the increase in costs and the drop in demand. There will also be financing to support the professional qualification of workers in micro and small companies in these sectors.
In the case of energy, the income will finance measures to support the energy bill of the most vulnerable families.
Source: Observadora
