Giorgetti: 'I think we will postpone the sugar tax until 2025'. Five euros per hectolitre: this is how the tax works
As things stand, the government's proposal is for the first two years, starting in July, a levy of EUR 5 per hectolitre for finished products and EUR 0.13 per kilogram for products prepared for use after dilution. From 1 July 2026, on the other hand, there will be a return to the 'full' measure originally envisaged in the 2020 budget (but which never came into force), i.e. EUR 10 per hectolitre and EUR 0.25 per kilogram, respectively.
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In the end the sugar tax could slip again. After a weekend of open confrontation within the government and the majority, this could be the tipping point to avoid the rift of Forza Italia, on the barricades to foil the entry into force of the tax on sugary drinks as early as July.
Giorgetti: 'I think we will postpone the sugar tax until 2025'
"We are making an effort in these hours to seek, very laboriously, financial coverage to postpone the entry into force" of the sugar tax "to the first of January 2025. I believe that we will eventually get there, but I believe that this is not the central issue of economic policy in this country,' explained Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti, speaking on 'Day of Truth'.
Sources Palazzo Chigi, towards postponement of sugar tax to 2025
The Presidency of the Council and the Ministry of the Economy are working to find a solution to postpone the tax on sugary drinks to 2025. Confirming Giorgetti's indication are Palazzo Chigi sources, who recall that "this tax, together with the 'plastic tax', was introduced with the 2020 Budget Law by the Conte II government, but until now has been subject to continuous postponements. With the 2024 manoeuvre, the latest extension is set for July 2024. With the government's amendment to the Superbonus Decree, changes were made that postponed the entry into force of the 'plastic tax' until July 2026, while the 'sugar tax' is scheduled to become operational next July but in a reduced form. However, the government is now working to find the coverage to be able to postpone again the entry into force of the tax, which, it is worth reiterating, was introduced by the Conte government, but never came into force from 2020 to date.
How the soda tax works
According to the proposal contained in the amendment to the Superbonus decree, presented last week by the government, for the first two years, starting next July, the levy on sweetened soft drinks is EUR 5 per hectolitre for finished products and EUR 0.13 per kilogram for products prepared for use after dilution. From 1 July 2026, on the other hand, there will be a return to the 'full' measure originally envisaged in the 2020 budget (but never entered into force), i.e. EUR 10 per hectolitre and EUR 0.25 per kilogram respectively.
Assobibe: 'More than 5 thousand jobs at risk'
The Superbonus Decree is being examined by the Senate Finance Committee. Voting on the amendments is scheduled to begin today, with the aim of going to the Chamber as early as Wednesday afternoon. The Commission aims to make Assobibe sent a timer counting down to the entry into force of the tax, which would put at risk "more than 5 thousand jobs" in addition to raising soft drink prices for consumers, to about seventy politicians, government officials and journalists.
