Priorities of the Ministry of Finance: combating the grey economy and EET 2.0

The Ministry of Finance, led by newly appointed Minister Alena Schillerová, has presented its key strategic priorities for the coming period. These measures are expected to affect the functioning of the tax system, the collection of public revenues, and the conditions for doing business in the Czech Republic. In terms of tax policy, this involves shifting the emphasis from increasing the tax burden to more efficient and consistent collection of existing taxes and reducing tax evasion. This approach aims to strengthen fiscal responsibility and create a fairer and more predictable conditions for business.

Emphasis on combating the grey economy and illegal work

One of the main pillars of the new strategy is the systematic fight against the informal economy, especially illegal employment and undeclared work. The ministry plans to set up a specialized coordination team consisting of representatives of the tax and customs administration, the labour inspectorate, the Labour Office, the police, the Czech Social Security Administration and health insurance companies.

From the state's perspective, this is an effort to level the playing field for businesses and prevent a situation where honest entrepreneurs bear a higher tax and contribution burden than those who circumvent the rules. For legitimate businesses, this can mean a fairer competitive environment.

At the same time, the ministry declares that more consistent tax collection is to be accompanied by specific relief for entrepreneurs. Examples mentioned include direct tax credits for registered self-employed persons, a halt to further increases in contributions, exemption of voluntary tips in the restaurant industry from taxes and insurance premiums, a reduction in VAT in the catering industry, and adjustments to the corporate income tax rate.

Electronic record of sales in a new form

From the year 2027, a new generation of electronic sales records is expected to be introduced. It is intended to reflect technological developments, respond to criticism from previous years and emphasize simplicity, user-friendliness and minimal administrative burden. For example, it is expected that there will be no obligation to print receipts and that the system will be usable even without a permanent internet connection. The tool is intended to help the state collect taxes without unduly burdening entrepreneurs and to eliminate unfair competition.

Budgetary responsibility and the revision of the state budget

The Ministry of Finance has also announced a review of budgetary processes and the preparation of a new draft state budget for next year. The strategic objective is to keep public finance deficits within the Maastricht criteria limits throughout the entire electoral term and to strengthen confidence in the stability of Czech public finances – both on the part of domestic entities and international investors. Part of this strategy is also to expand the possibilities for financing the state through the involvement of households. The ministry plans to offer more government bonds to citizens as a stable and predictable investment instrument that will allow households to participate in the financing of the state.

Emphasis on a shift towards quality of administration, not quantity of taxes

Another priority is to continue digitizing public administration, particularly by completing the Single Collection Point project or the digital tax cobra. Digitization should contribute to greater clarity, fewer errors, and greater transparency in the tax system.

The intended direction can be assessed as a shift from increasing the tax burden to more vigorous enforcement of the rules and to straighten out the business environment. As a result, entrepreneurs and companies will be exposed to greater demands for proper process setup, timely orientation in legislation and systematic work with tax risks.