No gov't amendments to VAT bill, yet parliamentary changes still possible

There will be no governmental amendments to the Value Added Tax (VAT) bill, but possible changes could be made to it through the deputies' amendments, which have already been filed in the Sejm, Rzeczpospolita has learned. "The Finance Ministry thinks there is still a possibility of introducing changes to VAT through the correction of the amendments already in the Sejm." said Krzysztof Luft, a government spokesman. If the MP-drafted measure is passed, it would de-facto let the government continue to set VAT levels without having to seek support from a hostile parliament. If no VAT bills are passed, then all products would face a 22% VAT next year, which the government fears would destabilize markets. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B1, Reuters) P.J.