From the new or increased rates of value added tax and excise duties, which were introduced through the "Europe Now 2" program, around 1,7 million euros were collected in January, according to data from the Tax Administration and the Customs Administration, which "Vijesti" received from these institutions.
The fiscal strategy envisaged that these new revenues (higher VAT on hotels, ticket books, excise taxes on wine, higher excise taxes on sweets, juices, carbonated drinks, etc.) would partially cover the deficit of the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund, due to the fact that pension insurance contributions were halved under "Europe Now 2".
In January, 14,3 million euros were collected from pension contributions, while 62,9 million euros were paid out for pensions, i.e. the PIO Fund deficit was 48,6 million euros. This deficit is usually larger in January than in other months because some employers pay salaries with contributions before the new year, but it is still a huge difference. Also in January, the pension for December was paid out, which was not increased, because the January pension with an adjustment of 6,8 percent was paid in February.
Covering this deficit is planned through increased fight against the shadow economy, expected economic growth, increased consumption, etc., the effects of which cannot be estimated at this time.
Hoteliers paid almost 600 thousand more
For hotel accommodation services, VAT was increased from seven to 15 percent, while for other services it was seven percent.
In a response to "Vijesti", the Tax Administration stated that in January, taxpayers "hotels and similar accommodation" were charged VAT for services of seven percent in the amount of 37.190 euros, and 15 percent in the amount of 874.270 euros, which is a total of 911.460 euros.
In January last year, the total VAT collected from hotels, at the then rate of seven percent, was 324.472,79 euros. This means that 587 thousand euros more has been collected now.
Hoteliers have previously said that this increase in the tax rate will make Montenegrin tourism less competitive, because VAT on accommodation in most competing countries is significantly lower.
Since January, VAT on books, publications and tickets for cinemas, theatres, concerts, etc. has been increased from seven to 15 percent. When asked by "Vijesti" how much tax was collected on these products and services in January and how much in the same month last year, the Tax Administration said that "due to the lack of a national code book, data for the items listed in the query cannot be extracted."
From excise duties on wine 345.000
Since January, excise taxes have been introduced on so-called still wines (all wines except sparkling wines) of 25 cents per liter, while it was subsequently reduced to 12,5 cents per liter for small domestic producers.
As wine was now included in the excise goods, all traders and importers were required to list all wine stocks they had in order to calculate and pay excise duty on them. This revenue from excise duty on wine stocks could be called temporary because now this excise duty will be calculated on every import and production, i.e. placing on the market.
The Customs Administration, which is responsible for collecting excise taxes, told "Vijesti" that they collected 31 euros for the calculation of the excise tax difference (referring to stocks of imported wines that were in stock on December 12, 2024).
In January, 19.349,87 euros in excise duties were collected through customs on regular new wine imports. Large domestic producers collected 12.569,85 euros in excise duties, and small producers collected 2.099,22 euros.
Small winemakers, as well as "Plantaže", were against the introduction of excise taxes on wine, which do not exist in the countries of the region, nor in most EU member states.
From sweets and juices 308.000 more
In January, excise duties or their scope on products containing sugar (candy), sweetened and carbonated juices were increased.
The Customs Administration told "Vijesti" that in January 2025, they collected 209.470,09 euros in excise duties on sugar, cocoa and ice cream products, while in the same period last year, 203.636,23 euros were collected on this basis, which is 2,86 percent or six thousand more.
In January this year, 934.118,28 euros were collected on the basis of excise duty on carbonated water, and in January last year 632.871,16 euros, or 47,6 percent or 302 thousand euros more.
Zero winnings at stake, law change coming
As of January 1, the scope of personal income tax has increased from 15 percent to winnings in games of chance exceeding 300 euros. However, nothing has been collected on this basis, because no by-laws have been drafted and organizers do not know how to calculate it and deduct it from winnings, i.e. it is not clear what are the justified costs - stakes for each type of game.
"Through the submitted IOPPD forms for January 2025, as of March 4, 3, no calculation with code 2025 - tax on winnings from games of chance was submitted to the Tax Administration. Given that the organizers of games of chance were obliged to submit the report on the calculated withholding tax (IOPPD) for January to the tax authority by February 88, and they have not done so, the tax authority will take measures within its jurisdiction," the Tax Administration stated.
Organizers and representatives of the Ministry have had several meetings in recent months, and on February 17, the Ministry issued a call for NGOs to register a representative to participate in the working group for amending the Income Tax Law.
65 thousand shipments taxed with 460.000 euros
As of January 1, the previous option to not pay VAT on postal items from abroad worth up to 75 euros was abolished, while since then this tax has been charged on the full value of the item according to the applicable VAT rate for that type of goods (for example, 15 percent for books, 21 percent for most other goods).
The Customs Administration is responsible for collecting VAT on imports.
"According to data from the Customs Administration, in January 2025, Montenegrin citizens made purchases and received around 65.000 shipments via online platforms. The total value of these shipments amounted to approximately 2.500.000 euros, while slightly more than 460.000 euros were collected in customs duties and VAT," the Customs Administration said.
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