House of Representatives of FBiH session postponed again: HDZ unwilling to support taxation of gambling

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The sixth regular session of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of FBiH will not be held. 

As unofficially told to journalists at the Parliament of FBiH, there is no political will for holding a session on whose agenda are important reform laws in the field of taxation.

It is evident that the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) is not prepared to support the Bill on Income, which envisages an increase in taxes on gambling and the taxation of amounts up to 100 KM, which have not been taxed until now. 

We remind you that this session was supposed to be held on October 9. 

The issue that has been controversial for HDZ for years is betting shops and the taxation of gambling. 

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The problem is Article 40 of the Bill on Income, which stipulates that winnings up to 100 KM are taxed. The second item problematic for HDZ is the increase in tax on winnings over 100 KM. 

According to the proposal, the tax on winnings above 100 KM would be increased from 10 to 13 percent. 

The following items were supposed to be considered on the agenda of the postponed session: Bill on Income Tax, Bill on Contributions, Bill on Income Tax, Bill on Accounting and Auditing in the Federation of BiH, and Bill on the Register of Financial Reports.

The Speaker of the House, Mirsad Zaimović, stated that the majority in the Collegium of the House of Representatives was in favor of postponing the session in order to harmonize a large number of amendments. 

Damir Mašić, head of the SDP Club, requested that these items not be put on the agenda until an agreement is reached to include the law on minimum wage in the session on contributions and income. 

In the continuation of the session, the seventh regular session will be held.