In a statement made public in Brazzaville on November 26, the consortium of consumer associations deplored the deterioration in the living conditions of Congolese households, before asking for a moratorium on certain taxes provided for in the 2021 draft budget and the levy on the electronic fiscal stamp set at 50F.
According to the Congolese Consumers Association and the Congolese Consumer Rights Observatory, at the initiative of the declaration, the incentives for economic recovery and social assistance such as the emergency allowance of CFAF 50,000 n ‘ failed to improve the daily lives of consumers, mainly retirees, employees on technical leave and other disadvantaged groups.
“The increase and / or the introduction of new taxes is a real tax burden that the government puts on consumers who will pay the costs in the market. This strategy of replenishing the state coffers seems counterproductive to us in this context of crisis where the final taxpayers: consumers have real difficulties in meeting their subsistence needs, “the statement said.
Consumer representatives are demanding that pharmacies, hardware stores and supermarkets be removed from the electronic stamp tax base. They continue to oppose existing taxes on electronic communications; the increase in the prices of butane gas for 12 kg and 20 kg cylinders to 12.28% and 14.44% respectively; the revaluation of toll prices from single to double and the institution of a 10% tax on subscriptions and re-subscriptions to television channels; and increasing excise duties from 10% to 12.5% in 2020.
The signatories of the declaration call on the authorities to deepen their reflection on the real tax loopholes that will not have a direct impact on the purchasing power of consumers. They cite, for example, the institution of a tax on motorized vehicles of at least two wheels: the eco-tax, from the 2022 finance law to really contribute to the fight against pollution of the environment and the institution of a 15% tax on all allowances of persons appointed to high civil and military positions.
