A series of new government policies are to take effect on Jan. 1 next year, from levying carbon fees, raising deductibles for filing income taxes and a ban on free single-use toiletries at hotels.
Starting next year, the nation’s 500 largest carbon emitters must report their emissions from this year without paying carbon fees, as it would be considered a trial period, the Ministry of Environment said.
The ministry would start collecting carbon fees in 2026 based on next year’s emissions.
Photo: CNA
Of the largest emitters, 141 are publicly traded or over-the-counter firms, accounting for 54 percent of the nation’s total greenhouse gas emissions, the ministry said.
They are obligated to report by May each year their greenhouse gas emissions for the previous year.
Under the ministry’s pricing scheme, emitters must pay NT$300 (US$9.18) per tonne of carbon emissions.
Should they voluntarily submit plans to reduce emissions by the end of June, they would receive preferential rates of NT$50 per tonne or NT$100 per tonne if they reach defined emissions reduction targets, the ministry said.
Meanwhile, starting next year, taxpayers can list up to NT$210,000 in basic living expenses as a deductible. The comprehensive tax exemption amount is to increase to NT$97,000, while the standard deduction amount would rise to NT$131,000.
The deductions for salary income and physical and mental disabilities are to rise to NT$218,000.
In addition, the legislature approved increasing the deduction for preschool children to NT$150,000, while that for two or more children would rise to NT$225,000 and the deduction for rent expenses would increase to NT$180,000.
The increases are expected to create NT$24.3 billion of tax-reduction benefits for 6.83 million taxpayers.
Also starting from Jan. 1, the Ministry of Health and Welfare would implement strict controls on cosmetics containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, prohibiting the manufacture, importation, supply, sale, gifting, public display or provision of trials for such products.
Owners of motorcycles using non-original or uncertified exhaust pipes would be fined up to NT$1,800 if their registration is not changed, while a fine of up to NT$3,600 could be imposed in accordance with the Noise Control Act (噪音管制法) if the detected noise level of a vehicle exceeds the standard.
Hotels would next year no longer be allowed to provide free single-use toiletries to guests.
Those contravening the regulations could face fines from NT$1,200 to NT$6,000, the Ministry of Environment said.
Under the regulations, lodging providers, including hotels, guesthouses and bed-and-breakfasts, may not provide liquid toiletries and body care products — such as shampoo, conditioner, shower gel or lotion — in single-use containers with a capacity of less than 180ml for free, it said.
The regulations also include personal hygiene items such as combs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, shaving foam and shower caps.
People would still be able to request such products, but would have to pay for them.
Facilities such as hotel spas and swimming pools are not subject to the restrictions.
The ministry said the regulations could reduce the use of 460 million plastic containers every year, the equivalent to 2,500 tonnes of carbon emissions.
The ministry would also roll out incentives to reduce the number of disposable plastic water bottles used in hotels starting from Jan. 1.
Hotels would be eligible for a NT$30,000 subsidy from their local government if they do not supply bottled water to more than 50 percent of their rooms. That payment is limited to five establishments per city or county.
Operators that establish a glass bottle water refilling system would be eligible for subsidies of up to NT$5 million, with funding limited to five projects per administrative region, the incentive scheme showed.
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