Speaking with Tunisie Numérique, economic expert Ridha Shakandali confirmed that the income tax measure included in the 2025 Finance Bill will come into effect beginning in January 2025. He clarified that the Ministry of Finance estimates that around 3,150 people will benefit from this measure, while the rest will bear a higher tax burden, to accomplish social justice.
He explained that for economic experts, social justice is determined by the income stability of the middle class. If their income remains stable, social justice is achieved; if it fluctuates, it shows a lack of social justice.
Shakandali further explained that Tunisia’s middle class is characterised by families whose income matches their spending, about 4,200 households. These families are largely indebted and depend on bank loans, as shown by a study he conducted.
The economic expert added that the state’s approach to attaining social justice should focus on increasing the income of all social classes in a horizontal manner, rather than the current approach, which he described as redistributing poverty rather than wealth.
He stressed that this measure mainly targets the middle class, which was once the pride of Tunisia before the revolution and contributed around 5% to economic growth as the main driver of consumption. The drop in economic growth is mainly due to the shrinking income of this class, pushing it into poverty.
Shakandali suggested that the state review the tax brackets and focus this measure on individuals earning an annual income of 50,000 to 200,000 dinars, arguing that this group would not see a notable impact on their consumption or income due to the tax deduction.
He cautioned that the group targeted by the income tax measure in the 2025 Finance Bill consists mainly of doctors, engineers, and other professionals. He believes this is a negative indicator for these groups, particularly in light of the increasing trend of brain drain.
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