The State Budget for 2024 allowed the State to collect an additional 700 million euros in VAT, but simultaneously returned approximately 700 million euros through ISP. The expression used in this analysis summarizes the situation as what the Executive gave with one hand, took away with the other.
The comment was made by António Mendonça Mendes, a deputy from the Socialist Party, the party that supported the State Budget in question. Mendonça Mendes analyzed in this way the response of the Government of Luís Montenegro to the increased cost of living experienced by Portuguese citizens.
The fiscal situation described illustrates how the Executive's measures ultimately had no significant impact on taxpayers' wallets. Although there were refunds through ISP, these were practically nullified by the increase in VAT revenue.
The article arises in the context of the discussion about whether the State Budget managed to effectively respond to the rising cost of living in Portugal, with the opposition criticizing the insufficiency of family support measures.




