Reform Index 155: The Antireform: the Reduction of the VAT Rate for іome Types of Agricultural Products

Reform Index 155: The Antireform: the Reduction of the VAT Rate for іome Types of Agricultural Products

24 March 2021
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In this round, most experts negatively assessed the impact of the law on reducing the VAT rate for certain types of agricultural products on public finances.

Chart 1. Reform Index Dynamics

Chart 2. Reform Index and its components in the current round

The law on reduction of VAT rate for some types of agricultural products, -1.0 points

Law 1115-IX reduces the VAT rate from 20 to 14% on imports and sales on the domestic market for some types of agricultural raw materials. In particular, for livestock products, cereals, seeds that are not used by end consumers.

This law affects companies that buy or sell agricultural raw materials. On some of them, it has a positive effect, on some, it may have a negative effect.

Companies that buy such raw materials for export resale must be reimbursed for VAT by the state. This procedure takes about 60 — 90 days: 20 days deadline for filing the declaration + 30/60 days office/documentary inspection + 5 days for receiving funds from the Treasury. During this period, companies cannot use their funds. With the introduction of a lower rate, the amounts of reimbursement will be smaller, so companies will have more working capital. Thus, the reduction of the VAT rate is beneficial for exporters of agricultural products.

This innovation may be unfavorable to producers of agricultural raw materials, which in the reporting period have accumulated a large amount of tax credit. If this amount (for example, when a company has made a large investment) exceeded its tax liability, the company would claim a VAT refund from the state and will therefore wait for all the required inspections to be completed.

The lawmakers also expect the law to make a creation of a fictitious tax credit (so-called twists) that companies use to evade VAT, disadvantageous.

The law on improving the procedure for electing heads of universities, +1.3 points

Law 1216-IX clarifies the procedures for electing university rectors.

Chart 3. Value of Reform Index components and number of events

Reform Index aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of reform efforts by Ukraine’s authorities. The Index is based on expert assessments of changes in the regulatory environment in five areas:

  1. Governance
  2. Public Finance
  3. Monetary system
  4. Business Environment
  5. Energy

For details please visit reforms.voxukraine.org

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