“Relative to previous years, the 2014 tax package has fewer big changes,” said PwC Hungary business manager Tamás Lőcsei, “but rather additions and refinements, the main purpose of which is to continue the simplification [of tax law] begun in previous years and to fight the black-market economy.”

Some of PwC Hungary’s findings were the following.

• Upon termination of employment, severance pay and taxation will be allocated on the basis of 2014 tax regulations. According to PwC, “This rule ensures consistency of individual employee and business contributions.”

• All individual health insurance contributions, retirement/pension contributions and unused family social benefits are now deductible on personal income tax.

• The tax on interest from investment will increase from 1.19% to 1.28% as of January 1.

• R&D-related business have many opportunities to reduce their tax base under the new law, particularly if generating revenue. PwC business partner János Kelemen commented that this would “encourage companies to transfer their R&D activities to Hungary.”

• In a seemingly related clause, enterprises employing a researcher who is in a Ph.D. program are exempt from paying taxes on the employee.

• PwC Hungary director László Deák noted a key change in customs administration: “In the future, customs authorities shall not impose a penalty for failure to clear customs should [an individual or entity] subsequently asks for customs clearance and additional payment on declaration is not required.” This change is particularly relevant to those in agriculture, who may face fluctuating currency-exchange rates which change the value of shipped product and thus the declaration.

The entire analysis – Hungarian-language only – may be read here.