Finance studies that platforms like Uber or Airbnb pay more taxes

The Minister of Finance, María Jesús Montero, indicated on Thursday that the Government is considering an "adequate" tax treatment for the collaborative economy, mainly for accommodation or transport sector platforms, among which are companies such as Airbnb, Uber or Cabify.

"There are platforms dedicated to this service that generate billions and do not pay properly, because current taxation does not recognize this type of activity and enter into unfair competition with traditional sectors," said Montero during his appearance before the Finance Committee of the Senate to explain the general lines and objectives of its Ministry.

Montero has warned that the Executive It is not going to do "abandonment of political responsibilities" because some formations "are determined to overthrow the Government", rather, it seeks pacts with those willing to make "concessions" from a "responsible" way.

Therefore, it works on the 2019 budgets to be "more social, egalitarian and redistributive", for which it will have 125,000 million euros, an amount that will allow the development of policies in favor of a "fairer" economic recovery, since it has not yet reached "many homes".

In this regard, has argued that the amendment of the Budget Stability Law to eliminate the veto of the Upper House deficit does not constitute a "disparagement" or a "lack of attention", but it is a regulatory dysfunction, so that the Executive will continue with its "legitimate and democratic interest" so that the proposal of law that would veto this veto and establish the deficit path of the socialist government, which entails an additional margin of 6,000 million euros, will come to light.

Regarding taxation, he has once again defended that "pay more what they have more and receive more what they need most in terms of health, education or rent subsidies", for what he has advocated a "redefinition of taxation" which, he assured, "will not affect in any way neither the middle class nor the working class."

According to Montero, the new tax system is designed to "revitalize public services" and reduce "enormous" social inequalities. Although still can not be considered definitive "none of the aspects that make up the PGE", Montero has detailed the main tax changes that will include the new public accounts.

In particular, he has stated that the IRPF will be raised to higher incomes "to 140,000 or 150,000 euros", that is, to those who earn more than 10,000 euros per month. Thus, he recalled that the most frequent salary in Spain is 16,497 gross euros per year, below 1,000 euros per month.

In addition, an effective minimum rate of 15% will be released in Corporate Tax for large corporations, so that "they can not avail themselves of the high number of bonuses and exemptions" that cause large companies to tax at a lower rate.

In this sense, it has indicated that the last collection bulletin reflects that large corporations tax at a lower effective rate than small companies, since companies that invoice less than 8 million euros pay more than those that are above that level.

In fact, it has ensured that it is currently collected by Societies less than in 2007, despite the fact that the volume of business is equal to or higher than that of that year.

At European level, he criticized the "delay" in a common taxation and the single European space for "comparable" tax figures, although he appreciated that the European Commission works "intensely" with proposals such as digital companies declare and tax its benefits where your business reaches a certain volume.

Montero also detailed that they are exploring "different options" on the financial transaction tax, which will be "in line with Europe", and an "adequate fiscal treatment" for collaborative economy platforms is being studied.

Equally, a "deep" review of green taxation will be carried out to combat the damage of climate change in health, a package of measures in which the Ministry of Ecological Transition works within the framework of a new law.

In this context, the tax differential between gasoline and diesel will be reduced, increasing the tax on diesel, without affecting transporters or self-employed workers, while the VAT on feminine personal hygiene products will be reduced from the current 10% to the super-reduced rate of 4%, since current taxation is "discriminatory".

The finance minister, who has ensured that the new fiscal model is aimed at "shielding" the welfare state, has also explained that "complex" tax architecture will be simplified present to "put a carpet" to the tax inspectors where fraud bags are detected.

The Government will approve a law of prevention and fight against fraud to put "light and stenographer" to complex societal schemes and help the Tax Agency have the necessary tools.

At the same time, it will publish the list of defaulters with the Treasury, including those responsible for solidarity and collaborators, so that "it is known who is behind companies that do not comply with fiscal obligations", something that can even be "dissuasive".

The minister has justified all these tax changes with the fact that Spain has a difference of 8 points of GDP in tax collection with neighboring countries, so it believes that there is "room" to approach without entailing an "added burden" for citizens.

"We must aspire to a tax that exceeds the income difference, and be at the best levels of the development of welfare state," he stressed.