site.btaContinue the Change Proposes 50% Increase in Tax Breaks for Working Parents

Continue the Change (CC) proposed a 50% increase in tax breaks for working parents between the first and second reading of the 2025 draft state budget. The proposal was tabled by CC Co-chair Assen Vassilev, who on Wednesday, together with Kiril Petkov, Nikolay Denkov and Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev, presented the proposals for changes in the budget.

Vassilev pointed out that instead of BGN 600 from the PP, parents are proposed to receive 900 leva per child, and for two children the amount should increase to 1800 leva, for three, respectively 2700 leva. The amount of funds for children with disabilities is also increased by 50%, Vassilev pointed out.

One of the proposals concerning young families is about increasing the tax credit for children, from BGN 600 to BGN 900 for a first child, from BGN 1,200 to BGN 1,800 for a second child, from BGN 1,800 to BGN 2,700 for a third child or more, and from BGN 1,200 to BGN 1,800 for a kid with disabilities. Under another draft amendment, the maternity benefit should be paid in full during the first two years even if the beneficiary goes back to work in the meantime.

CC also proposed that, in addition to students in grades 1, 3, 4 and 8, those in grades 6 and 7 should receive BGN 300at the beginning of the school year for school supplies.

Proposed measures for businesses include keeping the VAT registration threshold at BGN 166,000, relaxing the requirements for sick leave, raising the limit on food vouchers, and increasing the daily unemployment benefit by the percentage of increase of the maximum contributory income, said Vassilev.

CC is also proposing that the sick leave paid by the employer be reduced by another day from two to one day, which, Vassilev explained, will also be better for the employees. CC is also insisting on increasing the amount of vouchers from BGN 200 to BGN 300, an is proposing an increase in the funds for remuneration in regional and municipal hospitals, so that the salaries of doctors become 125% of the average salary for the country, and that of medical specialists become 90% of the average salary.

CC Co-chair Kiril Petkov said that CC is also proposing to invest BGN 8 Million to improve traffic between Pernik and Sofia, as well as BGN 16 million for the repair of the monument on Mount Shipka. Nikolay Denkov said that CC will insist on providing funds for completing the Orthodox church in the South Park, which has been unfinished for years, funds for designing a new church in the capital's Mladost district, as well as for completing the construction of a church in Haskovo, and funds for the Zograf Monastery on Mount Athos, which, he noted,, has long been in need of support, repair, and improvement of conditions for the monks and guests.