The Treasury can enter 168 million in the Christmas 2023 draw if the three big prizes are distributed, according to Gestha

MADRID, 19 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Ministry of Finance could enter a total of 168.3 million euros in the Extraordinary Draw of the 2023 Christmas Lottery if the first three prizes are distributed, according to the calculations of the Technicians of the Ministry of Finance (Gestha), who link the increase in withholdings by 4.55 million compared to last year with an increase of 5 series.

As detailed by the organization, this year the number of prizes increases by 765,200, to 28,312,400 prizes, and the amount of the prizes increases by 70 million euros to 2,590 million. "The 'bonus' for public coffers increases despite the fact that the minimum tax-free minimum has been maintained since it was increased on January 1, 2020 to 40,000 euros," he says.

In this sense, the technicians explain that by taxing Lottery prizes starting at 40,000 euros at 20%, the lucky ones who win the 'Gordo' prize, which distributes 400,000 euros to the tenth, will receive 328,000 euros, while the The treasury will keep the remaining 72,000 euros.

For their part, those awarded the second prize - 125,000 euros per tenth - will deliver 17,000 euros to the Treasury, and the winners of the third prize - 50,000 euros per tenth - will have 2,000 euros deducted.

On the other hand, Gestha calls for "caution" when contracting 'Lottery Tax Refund' insurance and remembers that the collection of compensation equivalent to the withheld tax must be included in the personal income tax return as an increase in assets. the general income, along with the rest of the income subject to the general scale, corresponding to the year in which it is received.

Likewise, they highlight that the prizes obtained by societies, foundations and associations, mainly with prizes from the Christmas Lottery, rose in 2022 to 153.7 million, the second highest year after the maximum reached in 2019. Gestha insists on modifying the law to "prevent loss-making or partially exempt entities from obtaining a refund of the 20% withholding tax."

Likewise, the Treasury technicians demand that they be authorized to begin tax and money laundering investigations of the 686.8 million paid to legal entities for prizes of more than 40,000 euros between 2019 and 2022, which have not expired.

The Treasury technicians ask the Government to restore the minimum exemption from prizes from State Lotteries or CCAA, ONCE and the Red Cross to the first 2,500 euros, as they consider that "this would discourage gambling" and they see "no tax justification nor economic so that a chance gain of 40,000 euros is not taxed, and instead an unemployment benefit or a subsidy of 1,000 euros is taxed.

"Large prizes do not have any impact on the personal income tax of the winners, so they do not affect them when applying for scholarships, assistance benefits or other public aid that depends on income and not assets, since the amount of the prize is not included in the personal income tax base, although it would have to be included in the Wealth Tax if all of your net assets reach the regional minimum to present it," they clarify.

Finally, Gestha insists that "to reduce tax fraud, we do not have to increase exemptions, but rather combat evasion by giving greater powers and responsibilities to Treasury technicians to improve control and collection."