It is necessary to eliminate the shortcomings of the state budget: the Rada voiced new proposals for increasing taxes

In the face of a significant budget deficit in Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada does not plan to raise taxes until at least 2026. Instead, the government is focused on bringing the economy out of the shadows, which, according to Danylo Getmantsev, chairman of the parliamentary finance committee, is a priority.

The state budget deficit is forecast to reach UAH 500 billion in 2025. Getmantsev noted that strengthening the budget’s main revenues is very important. According to his estimates, the implementation of these measures in 2023 generated approximately $1.5 billion for the state, and in 2024, this amount increased to $2.5 billion. Next year, it is planned to reach the $ 4 billion mark.

Experts predict that such initiatives can provide Ukraine with an additional UAH 160–170 billion this year. Hetmantsev emphasizes that raising taxes in 2026 is not advisable since the budget deficit in that year could become even more serious without external financing.

To cover the budget deficit, in addition to legalizing the shadow economy, it is also planned to raise funds through the issuance of military bonds and optimizing expenses. The government is considering the possibility of reviewing and reducing inefficient state programs, which could result in savings of up to 50 billion hryvnias. Hetmantsev emphasizes that any new taxation without prior legalization of the shadow sector could negatively affect bona fide businesses.