Additional business tax levy for chambers of commerce: rate voted each year and capped at the previous year's level

Article 53 of the 2004 Amending Finance Act reforms Article 1600 of the General Tax Code. Chambers of commerce and industry now vote each year the rate, rather than the yield, of the additional business tax levy that funds them. The rate may not exceed the previous year's, except for chambers that have joined a regional master plan, which may raise it within a limit set each year by law, with a catch-up option when their 2004 rate is below the national average. Rules for gradually aligning rates are set for merging chambers. The levy may also fund contributions to regional chambers and the national assembly of chambers. The rules apply from 2005.