Hetmanets explains the refusal of tax holidays for business: priority of defense and targeted assistance to the affected

In the context of the ongoing war, the issue of economic support has become one of the key priorities for the government and the business community. However, as Danylo Hetmanets, head of the Verkhovna Rada Finance Committee, stated in an interview with RBC-Ukraine, introducing general tax holidays for all enterprises at this stage is impossible. According to the deputy, tax revenues are a critically important resource for financing the defense sector and ensuring the functioning of the armed forces.

Priority of defense financing

Danylo Hetmanets emphasized that the state budget for 2026 is operating in a mode of strict economy and resource redistribution. Any significant reduction in tax revenues, which nationwide holidays could cause, would directly impact the state's ability to maintain the Armed Forces. "Tax revenues are necessary to finance defense," explained the committee head, pointing out the impossibility of taking such risks in the current geopolitical situation.

Mechanisms for supporting affected enterprises

Despite rejecting universal benefits, the state already has tools in its arsenal to assist companies that have become victims of Russian shelling. Hetmanets clarified that if a real estate object or warehouse has been physically destroyed, no tax arises on it anyway. For enterprises whose activities have been paralyzed, more flexible mechanisms are provided. In particular, companies can count on a tax installment plan or deferral, a decision on which is made by the Minister of Finance.

Force majeure tool and statistics

The deputy paid special attention to the force majeure mechanism, which was introduced back in 2022. This tool allows an enterprise to be exempted from tax obligations if it objectively cannot fulfill them due to military actions. According to Hetmanets, 11,000 enterprises have already used this mechanism. The decision to apply force majeure is made by the Tax Service based on provided evidence of the impossibility of conducting business activities.

Problem of warehouse infrastructure and mobilization

A separate acute topic of discussion was warehouse logistics. Property owners are afraid to rent their premises to retail chains due to the high risk of strikes, and some current landlords are demanding that warehouses be vacated. Hetmanets believes this is a pragmatic business calculation, and the state should offer alternative sites. Furthermore, entrepreneurs are asking to take into account the specifics of warehouse work when mobilizing employees, as relocating hubs requires a significant amount of physical labor that is difficult to replace.

Billion-dollar losses and lack of direct compensation

The head of the Finance Committee also reminded that Russian strikes on warehouses and logistics centers have already led to billion-dollar losses for Ukrainian businesses. However, he warned that the state cannot directly compensate for these losses due to a lack of necessary funds in the budget. Thus, business support will be targeted, focusing on preserving the country's defense potential.