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What are Tax Benefits?

Understand in a simple way what tax benefits are, how they are organized and the impact they aim to achieve in our economy.

What are Tax Benefits?

Tax benefits are incentives used by the State to achieve economic, social, cultural and environmental goals, promoting behaviors that are beneficial to society, such as social justice, sustainable development and reduction of inequalities.

Through tax reductions, exemptions or deductions, tax benefits encourage practices that generate positive impacts for society as a whole.

How they are assigned

They can be assigned automatically, when they result directly and immediately from the law in force. Others depend on a formal request by the interested parties.

How are they characterized

They can be structural when designed to have a long-term effect on the economy and society. While temporary ones are solutions implemented to address specific and relevant situations.

Importance of Tax Benefits and their impact on the economy?

In Portugal, the tax system is a set of taxes that allows the financing of the needs of the State and society.

The amounts collected through taxes, fees, contributions, among others, generate public revenue that allows financing investments and public expenses, with a view to meeting the needs of citizens.

Tax benefits, when allocated, constitute an indirect form of public expenditure, since by granting these incentives, the State gives up the corresponding tax revenue.

Tax System

The tax system is a structured set of taxes, created with the purpose of achieving fundamental objectives for society.

Tax Revenue

It is the amount collected by the State through taxes

Taxes

These are the most relevant taxes:

IVA - Value Added Tax

IRS - Personal Income Tax

IRC - Corporate Income Tax

IMI - Municipal Property Tax

IMT - Municipal Property Transfer Tax

ISV - Vehicle Tax

IUC - Single Tax Circulation

ISP - Tax on Petroleum and Energy Products

IT - Tobacco Tax

IABA - Tax on Alcohol and Alcoholic Beverages

IS - Stamp Duty

Where we are taxed

The main areas where taxes are levied:

Income

Consumption

Property

Strategic Investments

Incentives for economic, social and environmental development

Tax Benefits

They can be applied in different ways, depending on the objective and the tax context:

Tax exemption

Federal Revenue Deduction

Tax deduction

Taxation Deferral

Preferential Tax Rate

Incentives for the common good

Tax benefits play a crucial role in promoting the common good. Used as public policy instruments, they contribute to achieving economic, social and environmental objectives. These objectives, known as extra-fiscal, promote fairer and more sustainable economic development, benefiting the whole society.

Strategic areas

Extra-fiscal objectives are reflected in several areas:

Economic issues

Defense

Public order and security

General services of the Public Administration

Environmental protection

Health

Housing and collective development services

Recreational, cultural and religious services

Education

Social protection

International relations

Artistic creation

Budget Impact
Despite the budgetary impact, tax benefits effectively contribute to social well-being and economic development.

State Budget and Tax Benefits

The State Budget is the document that plans and forecasts all the State's expenses and revenues to be executed in the following year and where the tax expenditure related to tax benefits is reflected.

Want to know more information about the State Budget?

Adjustments and analysis for economic development

When preparing the annual policy plan, the State must adjust the tax benefits, reflecting the political and economic priorities of the moment. It is essential to continue monitoring and evaluating the application of tax benefits, in order to ensure that the impact about society maintains relevance.

Want to know more information about the State Budget?

Adjustments and analysis for economic development

When preparing the annual policy plan, the State must adjust the tax benefits, reflecting the political and economic priorities of the moment. It is essential to continue monitoring and evaluating the application of tax benefits, in order to ensure that the impact about society maintains relevance.

Disclosure of data relating to Tax Benefits

For detailed information on tax benefits, please consult the Finance Portal.

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Logo: Tax and Customs Authority (AT)

The Tax and Customs Authority (AT) is the body responsible for the administration of taxes and customs duties and for controlling the external border of the European Union and the national customs territory for fiscal, economic and social protection purposes. Its mission is to ensure the collection of tax revenues efficiently and equitably and also to play a key role in supporting tax compliance.
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