Aye or nay, who can say?
The coalition government promised a minor revolution in
passing tax and social reforms, and some things - such as a flat
personal income tax and caps on social taxes - qualify for this.
What hasn't changed, though, is the way the government passes
laws. The debate has been dragging on for months, yet not even
the coalition MPs knew exactly what was being voted on in the
end. A flat tax is relatively easy for companies to prepare for, but
some of the changes - regarding such things as interest
payments and leasing periods - are so fundamental that they
could require a change in a company's business model. Giving
companies only three months between the final signing and the
effective date is almost criminal. Whether the business
community gives the reforms a final thumbs up or thumbs down
will depend largely on what new surprises are uncovered
between now and D-Day on Jan. 1.
[Czech Republic healthcare social security Parliament President
Václav Klaus]
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