Hungary to launch wealth tax and broaden small-business tax scheme in 2027
The government announced that a wealth tax will start on 1 January 2027 and that the KATA tax regime will be expanded to allow many more entrepreneurs to qualify.
Approaching the end of a hectic week, Prime Minister Magyar Péter shared a summary video stating that parliament will discuss the 2027 budget later today and meet again on Thursday. He revealed a suite of fiscal initiatives: a tiered wealth tax of one to one and a half percent on holdings exceeding one billion forints, an expansion of the kata tax option, revisions to tax classifications, and the removal of preferential treatment for professional sportspeople.
All measures are slated for a societal dialogue phase. The government’s schedule also features a cabinet session on Wednesday and an EU summit in Brussels following the parliamentary work. Earlier in the week, officials held a two-day cabinet meeting in the forest region and participated in national remembrance events before unveiling the tax proposals.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTBoth camps report the same set of fiscal measures, but left-leaning coverage emphasizes the government's effort to help small taxpayers and roll back previous tightening, while right-leaning coverage presents the measures as a neutral summary of the upcoming budget agenda.
LEFT
Frames the tax plan as a pro-small-business move that fulfills a campaign promise and reverses earlier Fidesz-era tightening of the kata regime.
RIGHT
Frames the tax plan as a straightforward outline of upcoming fiscal initiatives and parliamentary scheduling.
The left emphasises
- wealth tax will be introduced starting 2027
- kata tax rules will be loosened so more small firms can use the favorable regime
- the changes fulfill a key campaign promise and undo previous strictness by the Fidesz government
The right emphasises
- tiered wealth tax of 1-1.5% on holdings over one billion forints
- expansion of the kata tax option and revisions to tax classifications
- removal of preferential tax treatment for professional athletes and schedule of parliamentary work
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