According to the report of the Directorate General of Revenue (DGI), current revenues up to the penultimate month of the current year totaled six billion 133.1 million dollars, also a decrease of 798.3 million dollars compared to 2023.
Tax revenues accounted for 77 percent of this indicator, according to the DGI.
For economist Juan Jované, a tax deficit means that tax revenues collected are lower than expected or budgeted. Among the consequences, he mentioned an increase in debt, which raises the long-term financial burden.
As the researcher explained to the newspaper La Estrella de Panamá, another issue is the reduction in public spending that the government would seek in areas such as infrastructure, education, and health to balance the budget.
He also pointed out that the lack of tax revenues could generate uncertainty in the financial markets and reduce investors’ and citizens´ confidence in the country’s economic stability.
Jonvane remarked that the tax deficit experienced is a product of high levels of tax evasion, and to reduce this problem the state must improve its audit or inspection position and penalizations.
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