The Construction Confederation announces on Wednesday, in a press release, a loss of 3.3 billion euros in revenue for the government because of the coronavirus crisis and the absence of a recovery plan for the construction and construction sectors. real estate. According to the calculations of the Construction Confederation and the Professional Union of the Real Estate Sector (UPSI), by refusing to temporarily lower the VAT for new construction and thus help the two sectors, the public authorities have overlooked 3 , 3 billion euros.
The sectoral federation recalls that construction pays 45% of its turnover to the Treasury thanks to VAT, personal income tax, company tax and the ONSS (more than 50% for housing construction new). “It is incomprehensible to do without additional revenue at a time when the Treasury is already heavily penalized by the Covid-19”, said the managing director of the Construction Confederation, Robert de Mûelenaere.
The UPSI and the Confederation reiterate their wish to obtain a temporary reduction in VAT for new construction and a generalization of the reduction in VAT for demolition-reconstruction in all regions for professional and private players.
In recent months, investigations by the National Bank have shown a sharp decline in the activities of construction companies. 60% of investors postponed their real estate project according to the latest monthly ING survey and the Federal Planning Bureau forecasts a 10.5% decrease in construction sector activities in 2020, the press release said.
–
