The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Tax and Customs Policy, Danylo Hetmantsev, said that he currently sees no reason to raise taxes, even in the perspective of 2026. That’s what he’s about reported on the air of a nationwide telethon.
Despite the fact that there is a deficit in the state budget for 2025, which can reach about half a trillion hryvnias, Hetmantsev believes that this financial issue can be solved without increasing the tax burden.
“For my part, I do not see prospects for raising taxes. Moreover, even for 2026. And the situation in 2026 is quite alarming from the point of view of revenues to the state budget, because there is a larger deficit, which has not yet been covered by external sources.” Hetmantsev explained.
In his opinion, detinization of the economy is the main tool for filling the state budget. According to him, thanks to these measures, it was possible to collect an additional $1.5 billion in 2023, $2.5 billion in 2024, and $4 billion is expected in 2025.
“This year, we expect UAH 160-170 billion due to detinization by the end of the year”, – Getmantsev clarified.
Among the additional sources of financing, the deputy named military bonds and “fiscal savings”, which involves the reduction of inefficient budget programs – according to his estimates, this can free up to 50 billion hryvnias. Raising taxes without prior detinization of the economy will only increase the pressure on honest business.
According to Hetmantsev, the volume of the shadow economy is about UAH 800-900 billion.
He gave an example of the scale of losses:
“If we take this money and transfer it to the state budget, we could triple the salaries of all teachers, triple the salaries of all doctors and increase pensions by another 50%.”
The people’s deputy mentioned the illegal circulation of tobacco, fuel and updating the work of the customs office among the priority areas of combating the shadow.
Hetmantsev added that ordinary citizens can also play an important role:
“If you don’t ask for a check, you’re just helping crooks steal money from the army.”
