BRATISLAVA, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Slovakia's state budget deficit stood at 3.675 billion euros (4.26 billion U.S. dollars) at the end of August, down by 629.3 million euros (731.1 million dollars), or 14.6 percent, from the same period last year, according to data released late Wednesday by the Slovak Finance Ministry.
Compared with July, however, the deficit increased by nearly a quarter. State budget revenues rose by 2.195 billion euros (2.55 billion dollars) year-on-year, or 14.5 percent, to 17.294 billion euros (20.1 billion dollars) at the end of August, while expenditure increased by 1.566 billion euros (1.81 billion dollars), or 8.1 percent, to 20.979 billion euros(24.3 billion dollars).
The special levy on businesses operating in regulated sectors was 70 million euros (81.3 million dollars) lower year-on-year. The solidarity contribution from activities in the oil, natural gas, coal and refinery sectors fell by 27.7 million euros (32.1 million U.S. dollars) year-on-year. Negative developments were also recorded in withholding tax, which fell by 14 million euros (16.2 million dollars), and motor vehicle tax, which declined by 2.9 million euros (3.3 million dollars).
Slovak Finance Ministry also reported positive developments in revenues from the European Union budget, which increased by 22.1 percent year-on-year. Dividend revenues fell by almost one third, or 38.1 million euros (44.26 million dollars) year-on-year. According to the ministry, these revenues are expected to be realised mainly in the second half of the year. ■