More than two thirds of the largest companies consider the tax system ineffective

A perception about the portuguese tax system worsened this year, reversing the trend of improvement that occurred since 2023, reveals the consultant in the conclusions of the study today published (“Observatory of the Tax Competitiveness 2026 Deloitte”), conducted in April and May with 189 companies with fiscal headquarters in Portugal and belonging to the universe of the 1,000 largest Portuguese companies.

Among the companies that responded, 29% have between 51 and 250 million euros of turnover, 26% have less than 12 million and 16% have between 12 and 50 million, 7% between 251 and 500 million, 13% in the range above up to 2,500 million and 9% above this level.

Overall, 68% of respondents consider the tax system complex and ineffective, plus eight percentage points than in 2025.

“ Despite considering the Portuguese tax system as complex, 29% of respondents state that it is effective, a decrease of four percentage points compared to the past year, contrary to what occurred in 2023 and 2024 ", refers.

At the same time, 97% classify the tax system as complex, a percentage that increased by four percentage points compared with last year's survey.

The functioning of justice remains the main obstacle to investment in the country, with an average position of 4.45 on a scale of 1 to 5, followed by context costs and bureaucracy, with a rating of 4.18, the observatory says.

Licensing and chamber authorizations are the factor with the greatest impact for the study participants, surpassing the bureaucracy in general, synthesizes the consultant.

“ The vast majority of respondents argue (with an average position of 4.70) that, to be more competitive, the Portuguese tax system should ensure the faster functioning of the tax courts ", reads in the study.

“ To be less complex (with an average position of 4.56) is back in second position and the measure that “is expected to reduce the number of declarative obligations and avoid” a doubling of submissions “passes from fourth in 2025 to third in 2026”, refers to the same document.

The speed of tax justice, bureaucratic simplification and reduction of declarative obligations are identified as priorities for strengthening competitiveness and confidence.

In order to improve confidence between taxpayers and tax authorities, the reduction of the deadlines for reply by the Tax and Customs Authority (AT) and the tax burden are identified as central factors.

The study also shows that companies recognize that fiscal policy plays a role in promoting sustainable investments, with 77% of respondents defending the creation of tax incentives to promote business investments aligned with ESG criteria (Environmental, Social and Governance, Environment, Social and Governance).

As regards the general concerns of companies, the responses relate to the current global economic and geopolitical context.

In 2026, geopolitical uncertainty is identified as the main concern of respondents, assuming an average position of 4.50, followed by high tax burden and effort, with 4.26, and increased energy costs, with 4.24. Unemployment appears last, with an average position of 2.79.