Pablo Donati proposes reducing taxes on essential goods and healthcare services, offsetting the losses by increasing the gambling tax and interest rate from 12% to 15

Buenos Aires City Assembly Deputy Pablo Donati has introduced a bill in the Buenos Aires City Assembly proposing an increase in the gambling tax.

This initiative aims to reduce the burden on essential goods and healthcare services. Specifically, Donati proposes eliminating the gross income tax quotas on basic food products (dairy products, fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, bakery products, and goods stored in warehouses), as well as on comprehensive healthcare services (consultations, diagnostics, and treatment). "Reducing taxes on food and healthcare means real relief for people and a boost to the city's economy," the legislator stated.

To prevent losses to the state budget due to the abolition of the tax quota on essential goods, it is proposed to offset these losses by increasing the tax on casino gambling and betting from 12% to 15%, and on online gaming from 6% to 15%. This measure seeks to redistribute the tax burden rather than increase it. This initiative is also expected to help prevent the growth of gambling addiction.

The increase in the gambling and betting tax could generate over $13,462,020, slightly more than the funds raised by the food tax ($13,285,399).