The Basque Finance Council today defines the collection forecasts

With the presence of the Basque Government, the Diputaciones Forales de Álava, Gipuzkoa and Bizkaia, and the Town Councils of the Basque Country, the Basque Finance Council meets Wednesday to define the collection forecasts. On the table, the institutions will find that these estimates exceed 6% to what was initially expected, which translates into an additional 200 million euros; in addition, they will have to determine how to proceed to the distribution of 360 million from the last agreement around the quota. It is not on the agenda, however, the tax reform, which continue to negotiate PNV and PSE-EE and which increasingly seems closer to not bringing a fall in corporate tax.

Thus, the forecast of collection for this year and the next aim to be optimistic. The approach is to meet the estimate for 2017, and even exceed 6% previous estimates, after two years in which the income forecasts were not met. The Executive, Provincial Councils and City Councils must also decide how they will effect the distribution of the 360 ​​million that result from the agreement of the Cupo initialed a few months ago between the Basque Government and the Government of Spain.

Negotiation continues for tax reform

Concerning the tax reform, the agreement between PNV and PSE-EE does not give the impression of being close. Both parties are still negotiating, but it is possible that the companies of the CAV will continue to apply a nominal rate or rate of 28%. The deputy general of Bizkaia, Unai Rementeria, recalled that the jeltzale proposal raises a reduction of 3 or 4 points in corporate tax, but the Socialists do not accept it, so that the agreement, if produced, would come through of other measures. Basque government spokesman Josu Erkoreka did not hide those differences on Tuesday, but stressed that they will persevere "to the end" in the talks.