In two days, Montenegro will temporarily close another chapter in negotiations with the European Union (EU), and this was contributed to, among other things, by the implemented reforms, the results of the budget inspection and changes to a set of laws, points out Minister of Finance Novica Vuković.
Among the changes is the Personal Income Tax Law, and Vuković tells Television Vijesti that all organizers are registered and that all bookmakers, without exception, have started calculating tax on players' winnings, which was not the case until recently.
In addition to the 32nd and the new tax, Vuković also commented on the announced protest of Montenegrin freight carriers.
Although some believe it is unlucky, Montenegrin officials are looking forward to the thirteenth, because as of Monday, that will be the total number of chapters in negotiations with the EU that have been temporarily put on hold. This is after we close Chapter 32 – Financial Supervision – at the intergovernmental conference in Brussels.
"In order to even talk about closing Chapter 32, we had to harmonize national legislation with European Union legislation, detect the management responsibility of state-owned enterprises. Strengthen internal and external audit. Detect risks. Then, protect financial assets through funds coming from the European Union, as well as protect the financial interests of the European Union for all funds that are and are awaiting Montenegro," said Vuković.
Vuković points out that the measurable results of the budget inspection significantly contributed to everything.
"Budget inspection, as one of the key criteria for us to be able to even run for the closure of this chapter," said Vuković.
And what does it specifically mean for the citizens of Montenegro?
"A clear message is that through the amendment of the set of laws and the establishment of internal control over the spending of public funds, that is, the funds of the citizens of Montenegro, oversight has been established. Through the reporting function and the control itself, without exception, citizens will be clearly informed about where their money has been practically spent," said Vuković.
There will be more money, after amendments to the Personal Income Tax Act, which obliged gambling operators to charge players a ten percent tax on winnings over 50 euros. Although until recently only seven out of 31 betting shops deducted this tax from players, after warnings about high fines...
"We have checked that the organizers are registered and that absolutely all of them, without exception, deduct the necessary tax from the players themselves. There is no withdrawal here and very strict care will be taken both towards them and towards other participants to ensure that the tax is recorded and paid in the manner required by the regulations, and therefore that the collection of revenue is carried out without exception," said Vuković.
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They will also act without exception towards international transporters, who will protest near border crossings from Monday. They are primarily demanding exclusion from the Schengen entry and exit system, faster VAT refunds and higher excise duty refunds on fuel, as well as longer work for the competent inspections. Vuković maintains that the conversation that preceded the announcement of the protest was constructive, and that the transporters were not familiar with the current regulations and reforms to a certain extent.
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"The strike on January 26th. After that meeting, I still have a question mark over why it's happening, because somewhere the Ministry of Finance and the state have shown a partnership, considering that this is an area that requires regulation and, therefore, as taxpayers, we recognize that this industry is at an increased level of risk. And the representatives themselves agreed that they would help the state so that this area of the grey economy is also something that we will put into the past," said Vuković.
And, in the near future, that is, by the end of the year, among the chapters for which the Ministry of Finance is responsible, after 32, there are seven more that need to be closed by the end of the year.
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