The new prices for the food distribution sectors, to deal with the inflationary phenomenon, and energy, to curb prices, come into force this Saturday, according to the law that regulates them and that was published this Friday.
The diploma defines the application of the temporary solidarity contributionwithin the scope of what the Government calls “an emergency intervention to deal with the high prices” of energy, which it calls “CST Energia” and applies to “excess profits calculated in tax periods for the purposes of the IRC that start in the years of 2022 and 2023”.
This contribution is intended for resident IRC taxpayers who carry out a commercial, industrial or agricultural activity as their main activity, as well as non-resident IRC taxpayers with permanent establishment in Portuguese territorythat operate in the crude oil, natural gas, coal and refining sectors.
“Excess profits are considered to be the part of taxable profits, determined under the terms of the Corporate Tax Code, in relation to each of the tax periods that exceed those corresponding to 20% increase over average earnings taxable in the four tax periods that begin in the years 2018 to 2021″, determines the law, defining that this contribution rate is 33%.
The CST Distribuição Alimentar, on the other hand, is in charge of IRC resident taxpayers who carry out, as their main activity, a activity of a commercial, industrial or agricultural natureas well as non-resident taxpayers with a permanent establishment in Portuguese territory, who operate food trade establishments for products of animal and vegetable origin, fresh or frozen, processed or raw, in bulk or prepackaged.
The CST Distribuição Alimentar rate, also 33%, does not apply to micro or small businesses and is applicable to excess earnings calculated in 2022 and 2023, corresponding to the portion of taxable earnings that exceeds that corresponding to an increase in 20% in relation to the average of taxable profits in the four tax periods beginning in the years 2018 to 2021.
“When the liquidation of a part or the totality of the contribution owed in the terms of the previous article is delayed, for the value of the contribution whose liquidation was delayed. add compensatory interest“, says the diploma.
The proceeds obtained from CST Energia will be used to provide financial support to energy end customers, in particular vulnerable familiesand aid to final energy customers, promoting investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency or decarbonisation technologies.
CST Energia also aims to support for companies in energy-intensive sectorswhenever it is about renewable energies, energy efficiency or decarbonisation technologies, and support for the development of energy autonomy.
The income obtained from CST Distribuição Alimentar is used for at least one of the four purposes defined by law, including actions to support the increase in tariffs for food products in favor of the most vulnerable population, specifically through social sector entities.
This contribution is also intended to “ensure the execution” of the consumer protection policythrough the Consumption Fund, and financially support micro and small businesses in commerce, services and restaurants “particularly affected by the increase in operating costs and inflation and by the decrease in demand”.
Finally, the income from CST Distribuição Alimentar is allocated to support measures for the qualification of professionals who work in micro and small companies in the commerce, services and catering sectors, to increase the resilience of these companies, through the partial allocation of income to the Modernization Fund. of Commerce for this purpose.
The law that regulates temporary solidarity contributions in the energy and food distribution sectors was promulgated this Thursday by the President of the Republic, according to a note published on the website of the Presidency of the Republic.
Government estimates indicate that this contribution will generate income of between 50 million and 100 million euros per year, in the two years in which it will be collected.
Source: Observadora
