Krstic proposes 41 percent tax increase for lawyers

BELGRADE - Serbian Finance Minister Lazar Krstic suggested that the maximum increase of lump sum taxes for lawyers be set at 41 percent.

Krstic proposed the new percentage on Wednesday to the representatives of Serbian bar associations who went on a strike over new tax regulations.

According to a release issued by the Ministry of Finance, the Decree of December 2013 was changed to introduce a higher tax base for certain categories of taxpayers, including lawyers.

"The total estimated lump sum amount of lawyers' income, which stood at 85 percent of average gross earnings in the city or municipality where they operate, has now been raised to 120 percent of average gross earnings," the release states.

Krstic also suggested a joint meeting with the Minister of Justice Nikola Selakovic on the overall situation in the judiciary and the problems faced by legal professionals in Serbia.

Belgrade-based lawyers stopped working last Wednesday, while the assembly of the Bar Association of Serbia (AKS) has decided that lawyers in other parts of the country should join the strike from June 25 to 27.

Photo Tanjug/N. Jovanovic (Archive)