News
Surplus tax rebate deferred
The government-proposed surplus tax revenue rebate of NT$6,000 has been deferred.
The delay comes as lawmakers remain divided over the plan -- with the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) now saying the rebate should be raised to NT$10,000. Lawmakers decided to hold off on the issue after just three hours of debate over how to use the NT$380 billion surplus in 2022 tax revenues.
The KMT said if the government cannot fund its proposed NT$10,000 cash payment solely from the 2022 tax surplus, it could use surplus tax revenues from previous years.
KMT caucus whip William Tseng says the party's proposal to raise the payment is based on 2021's tax revenue surplus of NT$430 billion which he says should also be given back to Taiwanese people.
Lawmakers have decided to refer the two tax rebate payment bills to a negotiating phase. Ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislative caucus whip Ker Chien-ming says that means cash payout could be delayed to April at the earliest.
The legislature begins its winter recess today. Its next session is set to begin on 20 February.
