State Budget 2026 Under Criticism: What Risks Were Identified by the Accounting Chamber.

The Accounting Chamber Raised Questions About the State Budget for 2026

According to inkorr.com: Auditors of the Accounting Chamber expressed concerns about the draft state budget for 2026, noting serious risks to its implementation. They emphasized the significant dependence of the financial system on external assistance, potential revenue declines, and the lack of transparency in certain expenditure items.

According to forecasts, the revenues of the state budget are expected to amount to 5.45 trillion UAH, while expenditures are projected at 4.8 trillion UAH. Of these, up to 40% of the planned revenues are expected to come from international assistance. Experts warn of possible delays in meeting the conditions for receiving these funds and the likelihood of reduced support from international partners. It is anticipated that the growth of the gross domestic product will be only 2.4%, the lowest indicator in the last three years.

Among the sources of income, the government took into account indicators that, according to auditors, may prove to be inflated or unfounded. For example, this includes 60 billion UAH from improving the efficiency of the State Customs Service, 26 billion UAH from collecting tax debt, and more than 22 billion UAH from changes in tax legislation that have yet to be adopted. In total, real incomes, accounting for inflation, may decrease by 1.1%.

The planned budget expenditures will increase by 9.6% to 4.8 trillion UAH, but taking inflation into account, their actual amount will decrease by 2.4%. The most funds are allocated to the security and defense sector — 2.8 trillion UAH, which is 6.4% more compared to the previous year.

For social protection, 481 billion UAH is planned. However, auditors warn of a potential deficit in the defense sector, particularly in payments to military personnel, which could reach 90 billion UAH.

Overall, the analysis by the Accounting Chamber indicates significant risks and shortcomings in the planned budget for 2026, including inadequate financial stability, potential income issues, and unfounded indicators. A likely deficit in the defense sector has also been noted.

Thus, the audit of the Accounting Chamber emphasizes the importance of careful planning of the state budget, as its successful implementation is crucial for the stability of the economy and social security in the country. Minimizing risks and controlling budget implementation remain the main tasks of the government in the coming years.