As the Upper House opened debate Wednesday on a bill to cut the consumption tax on food, opposition lawmakers pressed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on how much shoppers would actually save and who would qualify for income-linked cash payments.The bill would lower the consumption tax on food and nonalcoholic beverages from 8% to 1% for two years starting in April 2027. Income-linked cash payments for low- and middle-income workers would begin that fiscal year only to offset the 1% and take on an envisaged fuller form of support when the tax rate returns to 8%, with no set end date. The bill leaves the eligible income cutoffs and payment amounts up to a Cabinet order.The Lower House passed the bill last week, over opposition objections.
Opposition presses for consumption tax cut details as Upper House debate begins
While questioning actual savings and who would qualify for cash payments, lawmakers asked how households would fare after the tax cut expires.
In brief
As the Upper House opened debate Wednesday on a bill to cut the consumption tax on food, opposition lawmakers pressed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on how much shoppers would actually save and who would qualify for income-linked cash payments.The bill would lower the consumption tax on food and nonalcoholic beverages from 8% to 1% for two years starting in April 2027. Income-linked cash payments for low- and middle-income workers would begin that fiscal year only to offset the 1% and take on an envisaged fuller form of support when the tax rate returns to 8%, with no set end date. The bill leaves the eligible income cutoffs and payment amounts up to a Cabinet order.The Lower House passed…
This is the opening of the story, shared with credit to The Japan Times. The rest of the report — with every detail — continues on the publisher’s website.
Continue reading at The Japan Times ↗
