Loures House approves reduction of IMI and participation of IRS

A Mayor of Loures today approved the reduction of the rate of the Municipal Property Tax (IMI) from 0.361 to 0.360% in 2027 and the participation of the Singular Income Tax (IRS) from 4.65% to 4.60%).

The proposals, which will now be submitted to the Loures Municipal Assembly, were approved by a majority during the executive meeting, chaired by the socialist Ricardo Leão.

Both measures were adopted with the votes of the PS (six elected, including the President) and the PSD (two elected) and against the Arrivo (two elected) and the CDU (one elected).

The IMI proposal provides for the application of the maximum rate in the case of urban buildings “returned, degraded or in ruins” and the maintenance of the so-called “Family IMI”.

As in 2026, a reduction of the rate of EUR 30 for households with one dependent is envisaged, of EUR 70 for two dependents and of EUR 140 for households with three or more dependents.

The rate of IMI for urban buildings can vary between 0.3% and 0.45%, and it is up to the municipalities to fix the value between this interval.

Ricardo Leão estimated that the fall in revenue with the reduction of IMI is about EUR 850,000 compared to the figure for this year.

During the discussion of the proposals, the opposition parties criticised the fact that the decline in IMI was no longer significant and the CDU presented an alternative proposal.

The document, which was not yet voted, aimed at a reduction from 0.361% to 0.347%, a decrease of 14 thousandths.

“ We believe that at the moment this tax should be the one where we should focus the priority of the House, unlike the issue of the IRS, [where] those who receive the minimum wage or little more than that do not receive any euro due to that decision not to raise the 5% of the IRS”, argued the councilor of CDU Gonçalo Caroço.

On this point, Councilman Bruno Nunes classified IMI as the “stupidest tax that exists in the world” and defended its end.

“The Arrivo has a very clear position since day one. The IMI should end,” he said.

In turn, PSD councilman Nélson Batista stressed that, although the party voted in favour of the proposal, he argues that “quickly move towards a minimum rate of IMI.

“Lisbon, Amateur and Sintra already apply the minimum rate. A descent is always a descent, we will vote in favour, but let it be clear that we expected more and we will vote so that we can lower the IMI,” he said.

In the case of the IRS, whose maximum value is 5%, a reduction in the participation rate from 4.65% to 4.60%) was approved.

The House of Loures also approved by a majority the launch of a 1.5% Derrama rate on the taxable profit of companies with a turnover of more than EUR 150 thousand, exempting the others.

Ricardo Leão estimated that the reduction of all taxes implies a decrease in municipal revenue by about 10 million euros.

Contrary to what happens in the chamber, the ER has no majority in the municipal assembly.