On September 15, the Parliamentary Committee on Economy, Budget, and Finance held the first round of public consultations on a bill to simplify tax and customs legislation. Representatives of the business community proposed maintaining tax breaks for the agricultural sector, revising the proposed increase in the income tax rate for financial companies from 12% to 18%, and introducing a simplified tax regime with a flat rate for freelancers. Representatives of processing enterprises spoke in favor of maintaining or reducing the VAT rate on peas and corn, whose processors face intense competition, and expressed skepticism about raising rates on such basic agricultural products as parsley, suggesting that further calculations be conducted to assess the appropriateness of such a measure. Producers and exporters of agricultural products, including companies in the fruit and vegetable sector, opposed raising the VAT rate on natural gas and the tax on dividends. In their view, an additional tax burden—amid the consequences of a multi-year drought—could limit companies' ability to raise capital and invest in modern technologies. Representatives of the livestock sector proposed standardizing VAT rates to limit the risks of unfair competition from imported products. Meeting participants also opposed raising the VAT rate on sugar from 8% to 20%, proposing 12% as the optimal rate, and disagreed with the latest revision of the taxation of certain medical devices. Representatives of currency exchange bureaus stated that applying a uniform income tax rate of 18% to all financial market participants without a separate assessment of the impact on its subsectors could lead to a shift of some operations into the shadow economy. Business associations proposed creating a simplified tax regime for independent professionals, similar to the mechanism in place in the IT industry; while the initiative to raise the income tax rate for peasant/farmer households from 8% to 12% was criticized. Representatives of water and beverage producers spoke out against the excise tax policy proposed by the Ministry of Finance regarding beverages with added sugar, noting that this would lead to a decline in sales, investments, wages, and social benefits, etc. At the same time, this industry is facing rising production costs—primarily due to higher fuel prices—and is becoming uncompetitive. In addition, the requirement for companies to participate in the creation of a packaging deposit system starting in 2027 is creating additional pressure, and companies have already invested significant funds to implement it. However, calculations have shown that the costs of excise taxes and the establishment of the packaging deposit system will lead to a 30–35% increase in the final retail price of goods and a 30% decline in consumption. Industry representatives are proposing that the excise tax not be introduced and have called for dialogue to reach a balanced decision, taking into account the 2027 priority of establishing a packaging deposit system. Participants in the consultations also discussed streamlining the permitting process for renewable energy projects, the practical implementation of zones for the accelerated development of renewable energy sources, and the clarification of customs procedures for electric and hybrid vehicles in accordance with European standards. Labor unions and employer associations advocated for maintaining the income tax exemption for their organizations' revenues derived from membership dues, citing the need to sustain social dialogue. Consultations will continue in the form of sector-specific meetings, and the commission is awaiting written amendments from interested parties for consideration prior to the next readings of the bill. As a reminder, the bill was approved by parliament in its first reading. // 15.09.2026 — InfoMarket.