Thursday, April 16, 2026

Headlines

taxation

Excise tax on diesel fuel reduced for three months

On Thursday, 26 March 2026, the Saeima adopted in the final reading the Fuel Price Increase Limitation Law, which provides for temporary measures to reduce the impact of rising fuel prices on the national economy and the population. Diesel fuel could become cheaper by 8.6 cents per litre. “This is a balanced decision that helps to reduce cost pressures on entrepreneurship while at the same time strengthening economic stability. At the same time, the overall budget revenue is maintained […]

Riga Airport is trying to make itself more attractive for the introduction of new destinations

To encourage the introduction of new destinations at Riga Airport, the government on Tuesday reduced the fee that airlines must pay for each passenger on a new outbound destination served by the airport. Although this will ease the financial burden on airlines, the main cost items that, for example, Ryanair complains about will not be changed. For the 2025/2026 winter season, Ryanair has significantly reduced its total seat capacity (by around 20%), concentrating capacity in markets with lower […]

An additional tax is being prepared for imports from Russia

By referring to committees the Economic Security Tax Law initiated by the National Alliance, the Saeima is beginning work on the introduction of a new tax on goods from Russia – 30%. According to the proposal, the tax would have to be applied to goods that are sold for the first time or used to ensure economic activity, production or for own consumption. In the draft law, Russia is not mentioned by name; instead, there is a list of countries or “high-risk countries” to which this […]

The woman beater continues to receive Michelin recognition

The restaurant owner who once, shortly after receiving recognition from the Michelin Guide, beat up a female guest in the pub did not keep his promise to step down; on the contrary – he became the sole owner of the company, consolidating his position. Shortly after the Michelin Guide 2024 awards were announced, social networks and online news sites were flooded by a video showing how Murad Juško, co-owner of COD, a restaurant included in the list of Michelin-recommended venues, […]

The road use fees will be significantly increased

Starting from the first day of 2026, the road user charge will increase significantly – the largest rise in the rate will affect owners of the most environmentally friendly (Euro VI) internal combustion engine heavy goods vehicles. This draft law has been prepared by the Ministry of Transport. One of the reasons for increasing the rates is unscrupulous drivers who, by avoiding roads subject to the charge, damage roads that are not designed to withstand such heavy loads. The Ministry of Transport informs that it has been established […]

The State Revenue Service catches an envelope wage payer red-handed

A criminal proceeding has been initiated in the State Revenue Service Tax and Customs Police Department regarding the payment of “envelope” wages in a company engaged in the installation, maintenance, and repair of ventilation and air-conditioning equipment. During carefully planned operational activities, the payment of “envelope” wages was stopped precisely at the moment they were being paid. The total amount of unpaid personal income tax and mandatory state social insurance contributions will still be clarified […]

They want to patch the budget by draining Latvenergo: It is proposed to leave only 10% of the profit

Contrary to what was planned during the preparation of the 2025 budget and approved in the Saeima, namely that state-owned enterprises would have to pay 70% of their annual profit into the state budget as dividends until 2027, the government has now put forward an initiative stipulating that, starting already next year, the amount to be paid out as dividends must be at least 90%. This is evidenced by the agenda of the Cabinet of Ministers meeting on 2 September […]

Tax debtors will be allowed to participate in public procurements: To win, however, the debt will have to be paid

When reforming the public procurement system, the Ministry of Finance reviewed the conditions for excluding bidders and decided that, once the Saeima approves the drafted bill, tax debtors will also be allowed to participate in future procurements. However, in order to win a tender, the debt will still have to be paid off on the day the decision is made. At present, there are 12 mandatory criteria applied to bidders which, if not met, prevent a bidder from being admitted to the tender. According to the planned reform, there will now be […]

Unsound solidarity; in the 1st quarter, Latvian commercial banks have paid over 30 million euros into the state budget

In the first quarter of this year, according to the Solidarity Contribution Law, Latvian commercial banks have paid more than 30 million euros into the state budget. Swedbank has paid the most and, objecting to this regulation, has appealed to the Constitutional Court. The annual reports of Latvian banks show that banks tried to increase their loan portfolios already last year, when the government spent the whole year discussing the Solidarity Contribution Law and adopted it at the end of the year […]