TIRANA, Oct 30 /ATA/ – The Italian Chamber of Commerce in Albania (CCIA) has called for a comprehensive assessment of the economic impact of proposed measures in the 2027 fiscal package, warning that changes to the tax system could affect business investment, employment and economic ties between Albania and Italy.
In a statement on the proposed package on Friday, the chamber said fiscal changes should be assessed for their potential impact on businesses and consumers, particularly where they could lead to additional costs.
The CCIA welcomed the decision to keep corporate income tax at 15% and introduce a reduced 6% VAT rate on basic food products. However, it said the measure’s effectiveness would depend on whether the tax cut translated into lower prices for consumers.
It expressed concern over plans to raise dividend tax from 8% to 15% and the standard VAT rate from 20% to 21%, saying the increases could reduce net returns on capital and push up consumer prices or squeeze business profit margins.
The impact of the proposed measures would vary across sectors and depend on factors including company size, access to financing and existing contractual obligations, the chamber said.
It cautioned that measures that are fiscally neutral for the state budget do not necessarily distribute costs and benefits evenly between businesses and households.
The CCIA also called for greater stability and predictability in the tax framework, saying frequent changes or measures introduced at short notice could disrupt business planning, particularly for companies with existing financial commitments, contractual obligations or investments in employment.
Businesses could also face additional costs in adapting invoicing and accounting systems and revising contractual arrangements, while payment deadlines and delays in recovering tax credits could put further pressure on liquidity, it said.
The chamber called for simpler procedures, consistent guidance, taxpayer assistance and timely tax refunds. It also said better revenue collection and stronger efforts to combat tax evasion should be considered as alternatives to increasing the tax burden.
The CCIA urged authorities to maintain consultations on the 2027 fiscal package throughout the legislative review process and ensure that stakeholders’ concerns were reflected in the final measures.
Fiscal reform should balance the sustainability of public finances with businesses’ ability to invest and the effective implementation of tax rules, the chamber said, adding that business confidence was important for Albania’s economic development and closer ties with Italy.
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