3.2.3. Evolution of income for Special Taxes

Excise tax revenues decreased by 12.1 percent in 2020, with losses recorded across the board.

The Hydrocarbon Tax, which is the most important of these taxes, fell by -15.8 percent. The evolution throughout the year ran parallel to that of activity and consumption, with a sharp decline as soon as the first state of alarm was declared (income in those months was half that of a year earlier) and a subsequent recovery, although in the final stretch of the year a certain pause was again observed due to the limitations on mobility. The latter resulted in greater falls in gasoline prices (more closely linked to household consumption) than in automotive diesel (which is more closely related to activity).

The Electricity Tax is also determined by activity and consumption. It also suffered the initial shock, although less intensely than hydrocarbons, and the fall moderated more slowly due to the drop in prices caused by the economic situation. At the end of the year, the decline was 10.1 percent.

The tax on tobacco products was again reduced in revenue, as in the previous three years. What was different in 2020 was the size of that drop (-3.1 percent compared to -1.4 percent on average in 2018 and 2019). In 2020, the usual irregular behaviour of these revenues was compounded by the effect of some advance purchases due to fear of shortages and initial uncertainty about the tourist year.

As regards other figures, revenues from alcohol taxes fell by 18.6%, due to the general situation and the problems in the hotel and catering industry in particular. The decline was more pronounced in the Tax on Alcohol and Derived Beverages (-23.4 percent) than in the Tax on Beer (-7.8 percent). Finally, the revenue from the Coal Tax is almost marginal (41 million, 70.2 percent less than in 2019) due to the progressive withdrawal of coal from the electricity production process that has taken place in recent years.