ZAGREB, 24 Aug (Hina) - Finance Minister Marko Primorac said on Wednesday that there was no "poll tax" on guest workers and that the Tax Administration's actions were in line with the principle of worldwide income taxation and the exchange of information between EU member states in general.
"The Tax Administration will not put its hand in anyone's pocket, but there are certain mechanisms that are continuously implemented, and this should be observed that way, and our citizens can relax," said Primorac, responding to reporters after a meeting of the national council for the introduction of the euro currency.
He added that the Tax Administration could explain in detail any questions citizens may have about this and individual cases, such as seafarers, saying that this is by no means a racket or extortion and that he does not know why it was described as such in the media.
Energy prices
When asked about the energy crisis and what measures the government is preparing, Minister Primorac said that a set of measures is being formed in accordance with the budget's capacities, adding that there is a budget surplus but that it is not a large one, and the question is who will get what.
"We will certainly respond, but we will not use all the leeway available to us right away but will leave it for later," said the minister.
He also underscored that measures must be implemented in a targeted manner because any state interventionism affects inflation.
"As for the fiscal leeway, if we determine by the end of the year that it has not been used, we will use it and distribute any surplus funds before the end of the year if there are any," he added, but also underlined that there will not be enough funds to appease everyone.
He also said that they will not be able to limit prices in a market economy and that citizens themselves must find ways to save while the government and the Ministry of Finance will help the most vulnerable groups.
Primorac commented on the possibility of heating reductions in schools and said that he hoped that no one would be cold and that public institutions would have to be assisted to continue their activities. He did not wish to comment on the measures in advance because it still needs to be seen what they will be.
