Culture minister Istvan Hiller said in a press conference that this will be a long term solution to financing the NKA, adding that this resolution is similar to other EU countries such as Great Britain, Finland and Italy. The cultural tax amounted to €30,2 million in 2008, a decrease compared with 2007. The €11.1 million disbursed through May 19 was also less than the amount during the same period last year. The tax is based on advertisements, national and regional commercial TV broadcasts, a tax on theatrical screening, and sales of TV's, videos and projectors.
Income from the lottery tax was €38.6 million last year in Hungary, which would have meant almost €35 million for culture in 2008.
The decision will affect the Hungarian film industry through Motion Picture Section included in the NKA.