First Reading of the Draft Act on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (219 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Date: 2024-01-24 18:34
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 6
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 2m
AI Summaries: 6/6 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Agenda item No. 23 concerned the first reading of Draft Act 219 on the amendment of the Income Tax Act, which was initiated by Riigikogu members Martin Helme, Kert Kingo, and Helle-Moonika Helme. The main objective of the draft act was to raise the maximum limit of the tax-exempt compensation for the use of a personal car while performing official duties. The initiators sought to raise the current limit from 30 cents to 42 cents per kilometer, justifying this by the need to ensure fair compensation in the context of rising costs.
The draft act was presented before the Riigikogu by Helle-Moonika Helme, who emphasized that it was a compromise proposal, as an earlier attempt to raise the limit to 45 cents had not found support. Despite the initiators' conviction that this was a fair measure, the leading committee—the Finance Committee—proposed rejecting the draft act. Annely Akkermann, Chairman of the Finance Committee, conveyed the committee's position, which was followed by a vote. The Riigikogu supported the leading committee's proposal, and the draft act was dropped from the proceedings.
Decisions Made 1
Following a vote (38 in favor, 10 against), the Riigikogu decided to reject Bill 219, the draft act on amendments to the Income Tax Act, at the first reading. Consequently, the bill was dropped from the proceedings.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Helle-Moonika Helme, one of the initiators and the rapporteur of the bill. She presented the contents and justifications of the bill to the Riigikogu, explaining the necessity of raising the tax-exempt limit for personal car compensation to 42 cents and urging her colleagues to support this "just act." Helle-Moonika Helme represents the Conservative People's Party of Estonia (EKRE), which positions itself on the Estonian political landscape as a right-wing or conservative force.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas announced that agenda item number 23 is the first reading of Draft Act 219, and invited Riigikogu member Helle-Moonika Helme to the rostrum as the rapporteur. This concerns the draft act on amendments to the Income Tax Act, which was initiated by Martin Helme, Kert Kingo, and Helle-Moonika Helme.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme stated that the draft bill increases the tax-free limit for employee personal car reimbursement to 42 cents, noting that she had previously sought 45 cents, and asked her colleagues to vote in favor of it, provided they consider it a fair measure.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas thanked [them] for the opportunity to consider alternatives, stated that there were no questions, and invited Annely Akkermann, the Chair of the Finance Committee, to the Riigikogu podium as the presenter.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Finance Committee also discussed this variant regarding the maximum limits for private vehicle compensation and decided to propose rejecting the draft bill.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas puts the lead committee's proposal to reject Bill 219 at the first reading to a vote.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Draft Act 219 was rejected on the first reading and removed from the proceedings; the vote was 38 in favor and 10 against; agenda item number 23 has been concluded.