The Chega party will present a proposed amendment to the 2027 State Budget, aiming to ensure IRS exemption for Madeiran workers who receive the regional minimum wage. The initiative, jointly prepared by the party's regional structure and Madeiran deputy Francisco Gomes, seeks to "correct a fiscal injustice that penalizes low-income workers," according to a statement.
The proposal arises because the 2027 State Budget sets a reference minimum existence of 13,580 euros annually, equivalent to 14 national minimum wages. However, since the regional minimum wages in Madeira and the Azores are higher, Chega deems it essential to ensure these workers benefit from the same tax protection.
The president of Chega-Madeira, Hugo Nunes, stated it is "unacceptable" for a worker on the national minimum wage to be exempt from IRS, while a Madeiran, due to a higher regional minimum wage, could be penalized. The proposal aims to amend the IRS Code so that the minimum existence in Madeira and the Azores is not less than 14 times the respective regional minimum wage, exempting those who exclusively earn dependent employment income up to that amount from tax.
