The Chamber of Deputies Finance Committee has not been able to fulfill its commitment to report on the tax reform proposals because of differences of opinion between the deputies and government officials concerning the new taxes and the broadening of the existing tax bases. Meanwhile, Hoy reports that government officials have returned to the Presidential Palace to meet with the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Alfredo Pacheco to see if the differences could be ironed out. Sources said that there were some new proposals on the table but refused to enter into details. A new meeting will be held on Thursday.
The key issue seems to be the VAT tax and the proposal to extend its application to the most basic food items, such as sugar, coffee and cooking oils. Pacheco told reporters that he felt that the deputies would be able to come to some sort of agreement with the government officials since they are meeting informally on a daily basis, and exploring alternatives.