ISP discount on the bombs? Resellers accuse Government of propaganda

“ A Anarec considers [...] that the disclosure of partial information, focused exclusively on the tax reduction granted by the State, without simultaneously presenting the overall weight of taxes on the final price of fuels, ends up taking on a more political dimension than properly informative”, argues the association in a statement, arguing that “true transparency requires a complete and balanced view of the tax burden borne by consumers, and not just the isolated communication of tax reduction measures”.

In addition, the association warns that “if the figures to be reported are frequently changed, including weekly, compliance with this obligation throughout the national network could represent aggregate costs of more than EUR 10 million per year for the sector”.

Stressing that this is “a burden that ultimately falls directly on resellers to communicate a fiscal policy measure defined by the State itself”, Anarec questions the legitimacy of “being the reseller to bear the costs of permanent disclosure in each supply equipment”.

“ Especially when the information on the reduction of the ISP [Tax on Petroleum and Energy Products] and its effect on VAT is already publicly disclosed and subject to extensive communication and present in all tax documents relating to consumer supplies”, emphasizes.

While the association considers that “any measure contributing to greater transparency” of consumer information is positive, it warns of the “successive accumulation of new obligations, accompanied by counter-ordinary regimes, without any parallel attention equivalent to the economic sustainability of supply posts”.

This in a sector consisting mainly of small and medium-sized enterprises, “who face increasing costs daily, tight margins and an ever-increasing regulatory requirement”.

“If the objective is to provide the consumer with greater transparency and a true understanding of fuel price formation, Anarec understands that there is even more relevant and pedagogical information that could be made available,” he says, stating that “the consumer should know equally clearly the total percentage weight of taxes and other tax components in the final price of each litre of fuel.”.

As noted, this information would allow the consumer “to realize not only the value of a certain tax reduction, but also how much of the price he pays for each litre effectively corresponds to taxes” and would be “a more complete, transparent and truly enlightening approach to the composition of the final price”.

“Transparency cannot work only in one sense,” he argues.

Recalling that the fuel sector “is a true ‘Cristiano Ronaldo’ of state tax revenue”, Anarec regrets that it continues “too often to be treated as the ‘ugly duck’ of the Portuguese economy”.

“ Resellers understand and assume their responsibilities, but it is essential that the legislator also takes into account the reality of those on the ground. New requirements must be proportionate, clear, feasible and accompanied by an effective assessment of the costs they represent for companies,” he says.

A decree-law published on Wednesday in Diário da República states that, from the 17th, the fuel supply stations will have to post, “in a very visible place”, the current discount of the ISP, detailing the difference between the tax values that would be charged, per litre, at the reference rate and the tax actually charged at the current rate, in both cases plus VAT.

The posting of false, incorrect or outdated information is punishable by a fine of between 1,000 and 3,000 euros.