Core Insights - Latvia's Ministry of Finance reported that tax revenue for the first half of the year reached €6.896 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 5.9% [1] Tax Revenue Breakdown - Value-added tax (VAT) increased by 4.1% year-on-year [1] - Excise tax on consumption rose by 4.2% year-on-year [1] - Corporate income tax saw a significant increase of 9.9% year-on-year [1] - Mandatory national social security tax grew by 7.5% year-on-year [1] Reasons for Revenue Increase - The increase in tax revenue is attributed to the rise in minimum wage standards and wage fund levels implemented this year [1] - Additionally, there was an increase in excise tax rates on petroleum products and tobacco products [1]