FinMin: We will be as flexible as possible toward taxpayers

ZAGREB, March 24 (Hina) – Finance Minister Zdravko Maric on Tuesday said that the economic measures designed to ease the impact of the coronavirus pandemic are initial measures, while other measures are being worked on and the state will show maximum flexibility toward taxpayers.

Addressing a press conference in Government House along with Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and other ministers in charge of different parts of the economic sector, Maric said that of the 63 measures that the government adopted last week, 90% are already being applied.

Amendments to rules on the implementation of the General Tax Act have entered into force today and they enable the deferment of paying certain public contributions as well as interest-free repayment, Maric said.

Taxpayers can submit their tax returns as of today, Maric said, appealing to citizens to primarily use online communication and avoid calling the tax administration due to congestion.

According to eligibility criteria for the government’s measures, applicants must not have a tax debt of more than HRK 200, their annual income must have dropped by 20% or they expect their revenue to decrease by 20% or more in the coming months.

“Let’s hope that these measures are sufficient, however, we are all deeply aware that the repercussions of the coronavirus epidemic for the health system and citizens’ health and the economic sector will certainly last longer than the period we are currently referring to,” he said, adding that that was why the government was already working on other measures.

The government will compensate local government units and the Croatian Health Insurance Institute for all deferred liabilities, like income tax and health insurance contributions, recalled Maric.