The Federation of Independent Users and Consumers (FUCI) estimates that this year taxpayers will face paying an extra 679 euros due to rises in income tax, property tax, mortgages and utilities, such as natural gas and water.

Specifically, FUCI estimated that each taxpayer will face an average annual rise in income tax of 222 euros, which is in addition to the average 360 euros per year increase in recently reviewed mortgages.

On the other hand, Europa Press reported that the anticipated rise in the property tax of between 4 and 10%, depending on the year the assessed value of the property was reviewed, will mean an average increase of 42 euros per property per year, according to the consumer organisation’s estimates.

With regard to basic services, despite the freeze on electricity rates and butane, the 0.5% increase in natural gas bills will cost an average of 0.57 euros extra per month.

Any increases in the price of water are decided by each municipality’s town hall, and this is one item that will become more expensive this year as the bill may be increased up to 60%, which would incur an average extra cost of 4 euros per month.

FUCI president, Gustavo Samayoa, has criticised these increases, saying they are “going to end up drowning the average income which every day is seeing more reductions in its purchasing power and the ability to save, which in many cases is zero, causing uncertainty in the black future which is looming.”

Given these increases, the consumer organisation recommends following guidelines for the control of spending and saving, as well as proper economy planning in order to cope with the rising prices of these basic services which are taking place at the beginning of this year.