Meeting at the Ministry of Finance – Proposal for an increase in the tax benefit for education expenses – State Budget (OE) 2024
Attendees:
Secretary of State for Tax Affairs (SEAF) – Nuno Santos Félix
Chief of Staff of the SEAF – Bernardo Ferreira Teixeira
Advisor to the SEAF – Gonçalo Brites da Silva
José João Baltazar Mendes and Miguel Copeto – APESP
Rodrigo Queiroz e Melo – AEEP
Fernando Magalhães – APEC
At the hearing, the context of the private and cooperative education sector was presented, stressing that both pre-school, basic, and secondary education, as well as higher education, currently educate and train 20% of students in Portugal. As such, the State must look more closely at the families that bear this cost despite being taxed for the free state service.
The SEAF admitted surprise at the weight of the sector and understood the proposal. He merely pointed out that, considering the number of families who pay Income Tax (IRS), the measure might not be very comprehensive.
After some further exchange of ideas, the SEAF stated that they would run calculations to analyze the proposal.
Meetings with political parties represented in the Assembly of the Republic will follow to present the proposal for an increase in the IRS deduction for education expenses.
