Portugal tax authority criticised over IRS practices and withholding rules

Opinion columnists argue that Portugal’s tax authority (Autoridade Tributária) often interprets tax law to the detriment of citizens. They cite a Supreme Administrative Court ruling that barred the AT from taxing capital gains on inherited property shares, highlighting earlier instances where the agency attempted to levy taxes without clear legal basis.

A separate commentary examines the country’s IRS withholding system, noting that many Portuguese taxpayers receive refunds that act as forced savings. The author contends that the state should not impose higher withholding on all taxpayers, calls for more accurate withholding tables, and urges a prohibition on changing IRS rates outside the budget discussion period.