Ministry hopes to generate zl.1.81 billion from higher cigarette, fuel taxes

The Finance Ministry is reportedly planning to increase excise tax on cigarettes and fuels, including diesel, heating oil and petroleum used by vehicles. Rzeczpospolita reports that under a Ministry decree now being prepared, as much as zl.1.81 billion could be generated for the budget if the taxes are introduced as planned next year. Excise tax on cigarettes, which provides the State with zl.6.35 billion yearly, or nearly 5% of budget revenues, will rise by 4%, from zl.1 to zl.1.04 per packet of 20. Tax on fuels will be increased by 2.6% on average, with liquid gas used as fuel in cars rising by nearly 50%. The new regulations are scheduled to come into force on January 1, 2002. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B2) M.K.