Czech finance minister says tax hikes on apartments, consumables and dividends are inevitable

Alena Schillerová confirmed that the Czech government cannot avoid raising several taxes, targeting areas such as investment apartments, certain harmful substances and dividend income. The expected additional revenue of roughly ten billion crowns would help fund the shift of Czech Television and Czech Radio fees to the state budget and increase pensions for senior citizens. A special tax on refineries has been introduced for a two-year period, responding to rising refinery margins.

The ministry is evaluating options like a tiered tax on extra residential units and higher rates on selected consumables. Schillerová indicated that the tax reforms could save up to twenty billion crowns when combined with spending cuts, though the exact proposals are still being drafted. Economists cited in the article caution that the projected gains may be modest compared with larger fiscal gaps.