An official of the Ministry of Finance of Estonia complains about low government revenues from the excise tax on alcohol

An official of the Ministry of Finance of Estonia complains about low government revenues from the excise tax on alcohol
Avaldatud 01. 2017.a.
At the conference on alcohol policy of the European Union Mr. Marek Uuskula, as a representative of the Ministry of Finance of Estonia, said that revenues from the excise tax on alcohol did not meet expectations. Growth of cross-border trade and increase in excise duty on alcohol led to a decrease in government cash receipts from excise taxes.

On September 1 of this year, revenues from the alcohol excise in monetary terms were 2.3 million euros, that is 1 percent less than in the same time last year.

Excise duties were raised by the Estonian government on the basis of the common requirements of the European Union on the restriction of alcohol consumption as economic measures for social purposes. However, according to the Estonian official, free movement of goods and freedom to drink alcohol did not been canceled. Mr. Marek Uuskula urged to find a balance between the free market and social objectives.

Source: rus.delfi.ee