On Friday morning, after meeting with representatives of banks, the Slovak government introduced a so-called "Second help" bundle of measures. People affected by the crisis will be allowed to postpone instalments, mortgages, or loans for up to nine months. This should be handled through a simple electronic process. Another measure introduced is an increase of the limit of contactless payments in shops from 20 to 50 euro.
Deadlines for submitting tax declarations, reports, annual tax clearings on behalf of employees, financial statements, annual reports, auditing reports and other documents are to be extended, while small and medium-sized companies will be provided with financial aid. On Thursday Parliament approved the financial measures tabled by the Finance Ministry in connection with the spread of COVID-19. The measures were discussed in a fast-tracked procedure and all MPs present, 141 of them, voted in favour of the bill. Municipalities and regions will be allowed to cover their regular expenditures with resources from reserve funds and capital income until the end of 2021. Also, imports of medical materials from non-EU countries are to be exempted from tariffs and VAT sales tax. The list of tax debtors who have been negligent in their duties won't be updated. Tax audits are to be suspended.
