Portugal offers tax deduction to businesses who opt for sustainable installations

The tax break can reach up to 500 euros

The Portuguese Government will offer a tax break for business operations that choose to install energy or water-efficient equipment on their promises. The scheme will work by having the corresponding amount of VAT paid for the equipment or works be subtracted from the personal income tax of the owner.

It is one of the new measures aimed to make the new state budget proposal for 2022 more attractive. When implemented, it will operate identically to the current deduction regime by invoice requirement in sectors such as catering, workshops, gyms or hairdressers.

What are some examples of energy and water efficiency installations?

According to the text of the draft proposal, the move is “intended to allow the deduction from personal income tax (IRS) payable by taxpayers (…) of an amount corresponding to a portion of the value incurred by VAT on such expenses and contained in invoices documenting purchases of goods and services to entities with the appropriate economic activity classification, with a maximum overall limit of €500 per household, when the difference is related to environmental expenses.”

In terms of energy efficiency at the premises, here are some examples. The tax deduction can be applied in cases of the replacement of inefficient windows with windows of class ‘A+’, the application of thermal insulation to roofs, walls or floors, space and/or water heating and/or cooling systems that use class ‘A+’ renewable energy or the installation of photovoltaic panels or other renewable energy equipment.

When it comes to water efficiency, such installations will also be eligible for consideration by the tax authorities. Examples of such installations are rainwater harvesting systems or solutions that allow more intelligent control of water consumption, interventions to incorporate bioclimatic architecture solutions, and purchasing household containers for selective waste collection.

The period applicable for the tax break will be the full economic year. The proposed budget will be presented in parliament on 28 and 29 April, with the final vote scheduled for 27 May.