In a document providing comments on the Draft Law on SCT (amended) sent to the National Assembly's Economic and Financial Committee on March 4, VCCI said that in the current challenging economic context, adjusting tax policies, especially SCT, needs to be considered carefully and comprehensively.

According to the General Statistics Office, the number of businesses withdrawing from the market in 2024 increased by 14.7% compared to 2023, reaching a record 197,900 businesses. It is forecasted that in 2025, the global economy will continue to develop in a complex manner, with many potential risks, while businesses in many fields are facing a continuous decline in purchasing power and increasing input costs.

In this situation, the business community hopes that tax policies, including special consumption tax, will be carefully considered to create more favorable conditions for investment, production, and business, support consumer demand stimulation and market expansion. The design of tax policies needs to ensure feasibility, be consistent with reality, and contribute to promoting socio-economic development in a harmonious and sustainable direction.

VCCI believes that the increase in special consumption tax needs to have a reasonable roadmap to ensure that businesses have enough time to adapt

Instead of suddenly increasing taxes, VCCI believes that a more reasonable roadmap is needed to ensure that businesses have enough time to adapt, limit negative impacts on the economy, protect jobs and better control the consumer market. VCCI proposes to postpone the increase in special consumption tax from 2028, with a reasonable increase of 5% every two years to help businesses have time to adapt, ensure the feasibility of the policy and limit negative impacts on the market.

Specifically, special consumption tax on alcohol and beer products needs to be considered carefully, especially in the context of the beverage industry facing many difficulties due to the impact of the pandemic, global political conflicts and policies to limit the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Specifically:

For beer, from 1/1/2028 - 12/31/2029, the special consumption tax will increase by 70%; from 1/1/2030 - 12/31/2031, the special consumption tax will increase by 75%; from 1/1/2032 onwards, the special consumption tax will increase by 80%.

For alcohol with an alcohol content of 20 degrees or more, from 1/1/2028 - 12/31/2029, the special consumption tax will increase by 70%; from 1/1/2030 - 12/31/2031, the special consumption tax will increase by 75%; from 1/1/2032 onwards, the special consumption tax will increase by 80%.

For alcohol with an alcohol content of less than 20 degrees, from 1/1/2028 - 12/31/2029, the special consumption tax will increase by 40%; 1/1/2030 - 12/31/2031 increase 45% excise tax; from 1/1/2032 onwards increase 50% excise tax.

Regarding excise tax on cigarettes, VCCI recommends applying the tax rate proposed by businesses: the absolute tax rate starting in 2026 is 2,000 VND/pack, then increasing by 2,000 VND/pack every two years, with a maximum of 6,000 VND/pack in 2030. The tax rate should be applied according to a gradual schedule, starting to increase from 2028 to ensure feasibility, avoiding negative impacts on production activities, markets and State budget revenue.

Regarding the special consumption tax on double-cabin pickup trucks, businesses proposed to maintain the current special consumption tax rate on double-cabin pickup trucks to ensure market stability, support businesses and maintain State budget revenue.

Regarding the addition of sugary soft drinks to the special consumption tax, VCCI proposed that the National Assembly's Economic and Financial Committee consider not including sugary soft drinks in the special consumption tax at this time to have more time to research, make a comprehensive assessment and develop more appropriate policies.