News
Tax & Legal Weekly Alerts
2017
Our weekly Tax & Legal Alerts provide you with information on different tax and legal issues in Romania.
VAT split payment – the amendments to the final form of the law, sent for approval to the President
The law for approving the Ordinance regarding the VAT split payment was approved by the Chamber of Deputies and sent for approval to the President.
The most important amendment refers to the application of the VAT split payment system only by the companies having VAT debts or in insolvency. We highlight below the main changes approved by the Parliament.
The procedure for setting-up the sole fiscal group was amended (through Order 3480 of 14 December 2017)
The main amendments refer to:
· The tax body in charge with the management of the group;
· Changes brought to the form for registering/amending the sole fiscal group.
Obligations to declare to the Environmental Fund - year–end checks: electrical and electronic equipment, batteries and accumulators, packaging
The economic operators placing on the market electrical and electronic equipment („EEE”), portable batteries and accumulators ("B/A") owe a new contribution of 4 Ron / kg (EEE and B/A), or 20 Ron / kg (for lighting equipment), for the difference between the quantities of EEE, B/A placed on the market and the quantities ascertained by the Environmental Fund Administration (EFA) as placed on the market (until 31 December 2017).
Procedure for the technical approval of the models of electronic cash registers - draft
The draft of Order regarding the approval of the Procedure for the technical approval of the models of electronic cash registers defined in art. 3 alin. (2) of Emergency Ordinance no. 28/1999 regarding the obligation of the economic operators to use electronic cash registers was published by the Ministry of Public Finance on 18 December 2017:
Competition Council Guidelines on competition compliance – Importance and benefits
On December 8, 2017, the Competition Council published the Guidelines on Compliance with Competition Rules (Guidelines) that includes a set of best practices with regard to the implementation of an effective competition compliance program.
The Guidelines is addressed to all type of undertakings (both multinational corporations and SMEs), regardless of their field of activity.
National gross minimum salary, increased by the Government
The national gross minimum salary will be increased from 1,450 lei to 1,900 lei per month starting January 1, 2018. The Government Decision was adopted also in the context of the transfer of social security contributions to the employee.
Deloitte in mass-media
Taxation of profits: How Romania and other EU countries intend to transpose the new rules of ATAD
Taxation of profits: How Romania and other EU countries intend to transpose the new rules of ATAD - an article by Elena Geageac, Senior Manager Deloitte, published by Hotnews.ro and Capital.ro
Obligation of the employers to initiate collective negotiations and other changes regarding pensions and social allowances, approved by the govern
The main amendments approved through Emergency Ordinance 82/2017 are:
· The increase in the value of a pension point
· An increase in social allowance for pensioners
· A decrease in the rate of contribution to private pension funds (Pillar II)
· Amendment for the calculation method used to determine the minimum amount granted as monthly child allowance
· The obligation of all employers, even of employers that already have a collective labor bargaining agreement, to initiate collective negotiations with a view to implement the provisions of the Emergency Government Ordinance no. 79/2017 (regarding the transfer of social contributions)
Financing Programme for the RO-LA type transport programme
On November 9th 2017 Order no. 1378 of the Deputy Prime Minister and of the Minister of the Environment approving the Financing Programme for the RO-LA type transport programme ("the Programme") came into force.
Deloitte in mass media
The impact of the transfer of social contributions on salaries. Calculations
The impact of the transfer of social contributions on salaries. Calculations made by Radu Derscariu, Director Deloitte Romania
Amendments to the Fiscal Code
The Law no. 227/2015 regarding the Fiscal Code has been amended by the Emergency Ordinance no. 79/2017, published in the Official Gazette no. 885/10.11.2017.
The changes will enter into force starting with 1 January 2018. The main amendments include:
- Limited deductibility of interest and other costs economically equivalent to interest for corporate income tax purposes
- Amendments of the conditions applicable to the microenterprise regime
- Decrease of the salary income tax to 10%
- Mandatory social security contributions rates due by the employee and the employer for salary income were amended
- Amendments of the mandatory social security contributions rates and of the computation base cap related to independent activities
Customs duties reduced by 50% on imports of GoPro Hero cameras and similar products
Recently, the European Commission repealed a Regulation that classifies GoPro Hero cameras at a tariff code that stipulated a 7% duty on imports into the European Union. As a result of the reclassification, the applicable customs duty was reduced by 50%.
Deloitte in mass media
Deloitte Survey: Perception of the Romanian business environment on the evolution of tax system in 2017
Combined Nomenclature for 2018
The European Commission has recently published in the Official Journal the Combined Nomenclature applicable starting 1 January 2018. As a consequence, starting this date, it will be necessary to use the new CN codes for customs operations, Intrastat declarations and for operations performed on the basis of the customs and fiscal authorizations issued based on the CN codes in 2017.
On October 3 2017, Article 29 Working Party[1], in view of ensuring harmonized application of the Regulation regarding Protection of Personal Data starting by 25 May 2018, adopted the following guidelines:
- Guidelines on the application and setting of administrative fines for the purpose of the Regulation 2016/679
- Guidelines on personal data breach notification under Regulation 2016/679
- Guidelines on automated individual decision-making and profiling for the purposes of Regulation 2016/679
[1] European entity established under the basis of the present Directive regarding Data Protection, entity that is giving advices, issuing recommendations and opinions about protection of individuals in regard of processing personal data at EU level
Project of the Tax Code: Amendments of impact on Corporate Income Tax and Microenterprise Income Tax
The draft Emergency Ordinance for the amendment of Tax Code, published on 26 October 2017, includes new fiscal rules, but also the amendment of certain rules currently in force. From the Corporate Income tax and Microenterprise Income Tax perspective, the following amendments are related to:
- Limited deductibility rules for interest and other economically equivalent costs
- Exit taxation
- General anti-abuse rule
- Controlled foreign company rules
- Conditions for classifying as microenterprise taxpayers
Deloitte events
Business Breakfasts: Transfer Pricing - Developments and practical aspects
Constanta, November 09
Brasov, November 09
Sibiu, November 10
Targu Mures, November 22
For more details and registration click on the name of the cities above.
Conference: National Cyber Security Risk Management Conference
Bucharest | Hotel Sheraton | Monday - November 6, 2017 | 09:00 - 16:00
For more details and registration, click here.
New national regulations on excise duties
The Order of the minister of public finance, which stipulates the procedure and the conditions under which the tax warehouses, registered consignees, registered consignors and authorized importers, are authorized, was recently published.
Decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union on deduction of VAT invoiced by inactive taxpayers
The Court of Justice of the European Union (“CJEU”) allows the deduction of VAT incurred by taxable persons on purchases made from inactive taxpayers. The decision is general and mandatory and its effects are not limited in time. Thus, the decision can also be applied for operations performed prior to its issuance.
Moreover, we believe that CJEU decision opens the right to deduct VAT also for other cases where VAT deduction was blocked because the supplier had its VAT number cancelled.
Romania has received EU Council’s approval to increase the VAT exemption threshold to EUR 88,500 (RON 300,000)
The UE Council has authorized Romania to increase the VAT exemption threshold for small enterprises from EUR 65,000 to EUR 88,500. The measure derogates from the provisions of the VAT Directive and is valid only for a period of three years (1st of January 2018 to 31st December 2020).
Deloitte in mass media
Reff & Associates obtains for the first time a decision of the Bucharest Court of Appeal that obliges the tax authority to pay interest for delay in a VAT reimbursement case, starting from the day immediately following the submission of the VAT return and until the actual repayment by the State of the amount in question.
New obligations for exporters on declaring origin of goods
New regulations and rules on declaring origin of goods in trade between the European Union and third countries will come into force. Among these, the most important is the obligation of registration of exporters in the Registered Exporter System (REX). In specific cases, deadline for required registration is December 31, 2017.
Deloitte events
Payment Service Directive (PSD2) – 2018 will be a game-changing year for banks
Seminar organized by Deloitte, Reff & Associates together with RBI (Romanian Banking Institute in October 24, at RBI’s premises. The event aims at getting an overview of the PSD2 matters, which a financial institution will face in its current activity.
More details and registration here
Directors’ Liability (civil and criminal exposure) and corporate governance implications
Through its decisions, the management of a company is exposed on a daily basis to the risk of civil or criminal liability. The failure to thoroughly document an operation, the take over from the former management and failure to identify past irregularities are just some practical examples that can generate liability risks.
More details and registration here.
New realities in the public procurement realm
Representing an estimated 17% of the European Union's GDP, while accounting for 36% of Romania's General Consolidated Budget, the public procurement market certainly represents a topic of great importance for the active economic operators, both nationally and at European level.
More details and registration here.
New criteria for assessing the fiscal risk in case of optional VAT registration and cancellation of VAT number
New procedures for optional VAT registration, but also for cancellation of the VAT number were implemented through Order no. 2856/2017.
The normative act, applicable starting October 2017, also contains the new criteria for the assessment of fiscal risk, criteria that remind us of the 088 form for assessing the intention and ability to perform economic activities.
Deloitte events
Payment Service Directive (PSD2) – 2018 will be a game-changing year for banks
Seminar organized by Deloitte, Reff & Associates together with RBI (Romanian Banking Institute in October 24, at RBI’s premises. The event aims at getting an overview of the PSD2 matters, which a financial institution will face in its current activity.
More details and registration here
Deloitte in mass-media
Analysis about the impact of legislative changes on VAT collection, by Vlad Boeriu, partner Deloitte
New national regulations on customs and excise duties
A series of amendments to customs legislation and excise duties have been published recently. Implementation of the authorization procedure for deferring the payment of import duties and the completion of the Nomenclature of excise goods codes, are the most important.
Procedure for approving the transfer of amounts from the VAT account
On 21.09.2017 the president of ANAF published a draft order regarding the procedure and conditions for approving the transfer of amounts from the VAT account.
More details on the application of the General Data Protection Regulation
The National Authority for the Supervision of Personal Data Processing issued on 21st of September 2017 the Guidelines for the Application of the Regulation (EU) 2016/679 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (”General Data Protection Regulation”).
Clarifications and amendments brought to the criteria and conditions for granting the income tax exemption to the individuals performing research-development („R&D”) and innovation activities
The procedure for granting the income tax exemption to the individuals performing R&D and innovation activities was clarified and modified by the Order no. 2.326/2.855/2017.
The payment of the social security contributions at the level of the minimum national salary for the employees with part-time employment contracts – procedure
The procedure for application of the provisions on social security and health fund contributions for the employees with part-time employment contracts was approved by the Order no.2.343/2017 of the Minister of Public Finance.
Deloitte Events: VAT split payment
The VAT split payment mechanism was approved by the Government. The system will be mandatory starting 1st of January 2018 and optional starting 1st of October 2017. Romania will be the first EU member state to apply the mechanism in a generalized and mandatory manner, applicable for all companies registered for VAT purposes. Penalties for not applying the system are severe.
For more information and registration, please click the following links:
Tax Procedure Code: The impact of the most recent amendments for the taxpayers
Multiple amendments to the Tax Procedure Code have been recently approved by Government Ordinance no. 30/2017. The new amendments with significant impact refer to:
- Third party’s joint liability with the debtor
- Liability of the person with liberal activities
- Interaction between tax authorities and taxpayers during administrative procedures
- Tax inspections
- Tax incentives, respectively the possibility of rescheduling tax liabilities
- Enforcement procedures and legal remedies to suspend this procedure
- The precautionary measures
- The procedure for solving the tax appeal
- Collaboration between the tax authorities within the EU
Deloitte Events: VAT Industrialization - Seminar, September 18th
On September 18, we will open the series of VAT Industrialization seminars dedicated to VAT specificities for the Financial and Banking Services sector.
More details and registration form can be found here.
The Fiscal Code: The latest amendments brought by Ordinance no. 25/2017
Multiple amendments to the Fiscal Code have been recently approved by Ordinance no. 25/2017. The new amendments with significant impact refer to:
- The expenses with the value of transferred receivables are deductible within a threshold of 30% of the value of the transferred receivable
- The subscriptions for medical services covered by the employers for their employees are considered exempted from social security charges within the limit of EUR 400 per year per employee
- The excise duties related to gasoline and diesel fuel will be increased
Deloitte Events: Interactive seminar - The VAT split payment
The VAT split payment mechanism will be mandatory from 1 January 2018, and optional from 1 October 2017, according to Ordinance no. 23/2017.
The VAT split payment mechanism was approved without any substantial amendments compared to the updated Project of the Government’s Ordinance, published on 18 August 2018 (presented in our tax alert of 21 August).
Deloitte organizes on Thursday, 7 September 2017, an interactive seminar in order to debate the practical aspects of the application of VAT split payment mechanism. For more details and registration, please access this link: VAT split payment
A new alcohol denaturing procedure came into force on August 1, 2017
The new procedure for the complete denaturing of alcohol adopted by the European Commission becomes binding in all Member States and will replace the national denaturing procedures. The new common procedure is expected to have significantly reduced costs for the industry compared to previous procedures due to the decreased amount of denaturants to be used.
Deloitte Events
Webcast “VAT split payment – Update of draft Ordinance” | 24.08.2017
Deloitte in media
How could fraudulent suppliers be identified to not endanger businesses? An analysis by Raluca Baldea, Senior Manager of Deloitte Romania
VAT split payment – Update of draft Ordinance. The main changes
On 18 August, the Ministry of Public Finances (“MFP”) updated the draft Ordinance on the VAT split payment.
We discussed the mechanism of the split payment and VAT account in our tax alert from August 8.
You may find below both the main proposals and our view on the updated draft.
Deloitte Events
Registration for webcast: “VAT split payment – Update of draft Ordinance” | Thursday, 24 August 2017 | 11.00 – 12.00 | Webcast held in Romanian Language
Labor Code: Changes Impacting Employers
Amendments to the Labor Code by Emergency Ordinance no. 53/2017, published on August 7, 2017, have as their primary purpose the fight against undeclared work and mainly target:
- Define the concept of undeclared work
- The sanctioning regime
- Introducing new obligations for employers
Deloitte Events
Webcast “VAT split payment – Impact for business” | 11 August
Deloitte in mass-media
The draft of split payment VAT: Raluca Baldea and Alexandru Comanescu, Senior Managers Deloitte Romania discussed the topic in an online meeting.
VAT split payment – Impact for business
The VAT split payment will apply in Romania from 1 October 2017, according to a draft Government Ordinance (“GO”) published by the Ministry of Public Finances (“MFP”) on 4 August 2017.
Taxable persons registered for VAT purposes will have to open a separate bank account (“the VAT account”) to receive the VAT charged to customers and pay the VAT invoiced by suppliers.
Deloitte Events
Webcast “VAT split payment – Impact for business” | Friday, 11 August, 11.00 o’clock | Webcast held in Romanian language
Deloitte in mass-media
The impact of Plan BEPS seen by multinational groups all over the world, a survey commented by Dan Badin, Partner in Charge Tax & Legal, Deloitte Romania.
The stamp is no longer mandatory for documents submitted to the customs authorities
Stamping the declarations, applications, contracts or any other documents to be submitted to the customs authorities is not mandatory, states the General Customs Directorate on its own website, www.customs.ro.
Commission's Electronic Decision System, applicable from 2 October 2017
Information sharing related to applications and decisions between customs authorities in the European Union, as well as between economic operators and customs authorities in the European Union, will be carried out by using electronic data processing techniques, starting with 2 October 2017.
The Fiscal Code: The most recent amendments brought by Law 170 / 2017
A number of amendments were brought to the Fiscal Code by Law 170/2017. Among the most relevant changes there are:
· The subscription to medical services covered by the employer for its employees are considered non-taxable income within the annual threshold of EUR 400.
· The taxpayers subject to the tax on specific activities are obliged to pay the income tax for microenterprises starting with August 2017 in case their total income is up to EUR 500,000
· For VAT registration purposes, the authorities will analyze the fiscal risk instead of the intention and capacity of the taxable person to carry out economic activity.
Deloitte in mass-media
An analysis of the cost of social security contributions in Romania comparing to other European states by Raluca Bontaș, Partner Deloitte Romania and Monica Țariuc, tax Manager Deloitte Romania
Transfer Pricing: OECD releases new edition of transfer pricing guidelines
An updated version of the OECD Guidelines - Transfer Pricing Guidelines for Multinational Companies and Tax Administrations was published on 10 July 2017 by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The previous version of the guidelines was issued in 2010.
The Romanian Fiscal Code recommends complying with the OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines.
The impact for Romanian companies
· Focus will be placed on the economic substance of each intra-group transaction
· Increased transparency through supplementary reporting of the Multinational Enterprises’ activities which will lead to a more in-depth tax analysis on how the revenues, profits and taxes were allocated globally
Deloitte Events
The 4th Anti-Money Laundering Directive (4AMLD) will come into effect at 26th of June 2017 – business breakfast held at Deloitte’ premises
Deloitte in mass-media
An article about creating digital link between banks and clients – Legal perspectives, by Lorena Butusina, Associate, Reff & Associates
The conditions of issuance of the European Unique Identifier (EUID)
The Order of the Ministry of Justice regarding the approval of the EUID structure for the professionals registered with the Trade Registry and the standard model of the registration certificate is currently under public debates and is expected to be approved and enter into force starting with 7 July 2017.
The deadline until when the fire safety authorization must be obtained for the constructions and establishments that were operated without such authorization was extended until 30 September 2017
On 26th of June 2017, the President of Romania promulgated the Law on the approval of the Government Ordinance no. 17/2006 for the extension of the term provided by art. 30 par. (41) of Law no. 307/2006 on fire protection.
Upcoming Deloitte events
Summer Banking Academy – event organized by Deloitte and Reff & Associates in partnership with Romanian Bank Institute
Deloitte Tax & Legal in mass media
Romania intends to modify the fiscal treaties: The Impact on companies
Commission adopts corrections and amendments to the Regulation (EU) 2447/2015 implementing Union Customs Code
Regulation (EU) 989/2017 entered into force, whereby the European Commission amends and corrects Regulation 2447/2015 on the implementation of the Union Customs Code.
A new Regulation regarding the reception of construction works and corresponding installations shall enter into force on 29 July 2017
The Regulation dated 18 May 2017 regarding the reception of construction works fully replaces the Regulation for reception of construction works and installations dated 14 June 1994. The Regulation brings some welcome changes related to constructions, as well as some clarifications regarding aspects previously regulated.
The deadline for complying with the risk analysis for physical security applicable to companies falling under the provisions of Law 31/1990 and other legal entities is approaching
Until 1st July 2017 the latest, the companies falling under the provisions of Law 31/1990 and other legal entities have the obligation to prepare the risk analysis for physical security. The deadline was established through Decision no. 1002/2015 regarding the modification and completion of Government Decision no. 301/2012 for the approval of Methodological Norms for the application of Law 333/2003 regarding the security of objectives, assets, valuables and the protection of persons.
Upcoming Deloitte events
Summer Banking Academy – event organized by Deloitte and Reff & Associates in partnership with Romanian Bank Institute
Deloitte Tax & Legal in mass media
Tax incentives for Research & Development activity – Analysis
Reporting fiscal data– Impact on fiscal controls aiming transfer pricing
Multinational enterprises have new reporting obligations regarding automatic exchange of information on fiscal area
Any parent company or any other reporting entity resident in Romania and part of a multinational group of companies with a consolidated income in amount of minimum EUR 750 million has the obligation to submit a country-by-country report for each reporting year that includes information on the amount of revenue, profit/losses, stated capital, accumulated earnings, number of employees and tangible assets.
The provisions were introduced by a Government Emergency Ordinance amending the Fiscal Procedure Code.
Posting of employees in the framework of transnational provision of services on the territory of Romania, clarifications
Some aspects regarding the posting of employees in the framework of transnational provision of services on the territory of Romania were clarified by methodological norms (Decision no 337/2017). For example, the norms present some factual elements to be taken into account by the Labor Inspection in order to identify the existence of actual transnational postings.
Upcoming Deloitte events
Redefining your NPL strategy, from underwriting to NPL transactions – Deloitte seminar, 21 June 2017
Deloitte Tax & Legal in mass media
Fiscal Inactivity: What authorities intended and what they achieved. The legal actions in EU could have a significant impact on companies, an analysis by Vlad Boeriu, Partner of Deloitte Romania
Romania becomes associate member of Plan BEPS – Base Erosion and Profit Shifting
Romania becomes associate member of Plan BEPS – Base Erosion and Profit Shifting on the 9th of June when Law no 124/2017 comes into force. The main objective of BEPS is to prevent the use by companies of legislative mismatches from national tax systems in order to transfer profits to lower tax jurisdictions.
Conventions for avoidance of double taxation concluded by Romania will be amended
Romania and other 67 countries signed the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent BEPS (MLI) on the 7th of June. Romania has 91 conventions for avoidance of double taxation.
Upcoming Deloitte events
VAT in Practice – Deloitte seminar, 14 – 15 June More details and registration here
https://www2.deloitte.com/ro/ro/pages/tax/events/TVA-in-practica-Cluj.html
Redefining your NPL strategy, from underwriting to NPL transactions –
Deloitte seminar, 21 June 2017
Deloitte Tax & Legal in mass media
Transfer pricing: The profile of the taxpayer aimed by the fiscal controls
Companies will be able to communicate with the tax authorities starting withJune via the Virtual Private Space service
Legal entities and entities without legal personality will be able to communicate with tax authorities via the Virtual Private Space (SPV) service as of June 1, according to an MFP order. At the same time, the list of documents that can be communicated through the SPV will be extended, including tax returns.
Upcoming Deloitte events in May
“VAT in practice”, 14 – 15 June 2017
Deloitte Tax & Legal in mass media
New provisions of the public-private partnerships and concessions legislation-an analysis published by Georgiana Singurel, Partner Reff &Associates,and Alexandru Lascu, Managing Associate Reff & Associates
The list of the most relevant amendments to the Methodological Norms for the Application of the Tax Code
Amendments and additions to the Methodological Norms for the application of the Tax Code in respect of corporate income tax, micro-enterprise income tax, income tax, statutory social contributions and value added tax have been recently published in the Official Monitor.
Upcoming Deloitte events in May
“VAT in practice”, 16-17 May 2017
“Debts & Restructuring C/SEE Forum”, 24 May 2017
Deloitte Tax & Legal in mass media
Comparative study on VAT registration procedures in EU Member States
The procedure for solving VAT returns with refund option will change starting May 1
The amendments made to the procedure, adopted by Order 1232/2017, mainly concern the setup of a special database at the ANAF level, in which the taxable persons that present a tax risk for the VAT refund are registered.
Upcoming Deloitte events in April
„International mobility of Romanian employees in EU/EEA” - Deloitte seminar
„GDPR – Are we ready?” - Conference organized by Deloitte, Reff & Associates together with IAPP - International Association of Privacy Professionals
Short presentation of the most relevant amendments brought to the green certificates support scheme
The new provisions included in GEO 24/201 are mostly favorable to the renewable energy producers as they regulate several methods for ensuring the sale of the producer’s green certificates until the expiry of the support scheme in 2031. We present below the most relevant amendments.
Upcoming Deloitte events in April
Immigration process in Romania. Challenges and opportunities – Workshop
Deloitte in mass media
New obligations for employers who post workers in EU, an article written by Deloitte’s specialists for wall-street.ro
Posting of workers: New regulations and obligations for employers
Employers who post employees for business purposes in the European Union, EEA or the Swiss Confederation in the transnational provision of services will have to fulfil additional obligations once Law 16/2017 entries into force.
Upcoming Deloitte events in April
Deloitte in mass media: An analysis by Dan Badin, Partner Deloitte, on “Taxation of corporations – A problem of Romania?”
Undertaking by an insurance company – a new form of guarantee for potential customs debts
Economic operators may establish customs guarantee through a guarantor, insurance company, once with the entry into force of the Union Customs Code.
This is a new form of guarantee for potential customs debt in addition to the dedicated forms used until present (Letter of bank guarantee or cash deposit).
A new feature for AEO certified companies – access to the national centralized clearance procedure
AEO certified companies have the possibility to declare goods in a centralized manner at a single customs office, even though physically the goods are presented at other customs office in the country. This will lead to cost optimization and better control of customs clearance of goods.
Corporate Tax: Fiscal authority announces audits after the deadline for submission the tax declaration, March 27
Corporate Tax and VAT will be, since April, targeted by tax audits recently announced by fiscal authority. In this context, we recommend companies to pay more attention to the data reported. At the same time, companies that have become major taxpayers to the state budget in 2016 and, therefore, had not enough time to prepare the transfer pricing documentation file could be another area of interest to the tax authorities.
Pre-insolvency & Insolvency Guide - A guide for companies with cross-border activities
Complete and prompt information about the insolvency law applicable to each European country can facilitate decisions that are crucial in crisis situations for the financial situation of companies that have relationships with external partners or have extended their operations in other countries. That is why more than 50 specialists from Deloitte Legal network around 19 European countries have analyzed and synthesized the legal provisions and cross-border insolvency proceedings in Pre-insolvency & Insolvency Guide, which you can see on Deloitte website.
Upcoming Deloitte Events in March: See more in attachment
The average gross salary, depending on which is calculated the ceiling for social contributions, will be 3,131 lei in 2017
The indicator is used to determine the monthly computation base of the health social insurance contributions (CASS) for individual income obtained from independent activities, intellectual property rights, rental, association with a legal person, agriculture, forestry and fishing activities.
Corporate Tax: The Consumer price index for prepayments
The consumer price index used to compute the corporate income tax prepayments is set at 101,4%, according to the order issued by the Ministry of Public Finance.
Free-Trade Agreements: The impact of a changing EU and global context for companies
The changing global trading environment and the disruptive trends, such as Brexit, rising populism, elections in the European countries and the announced renegotiation of trade deals by the new US President, might affect the global supply chains, as long as the free markets are put under an increasing pressure.
At the same time, the exclusive competence of the EU to negotiate and conclude Free-Trade Agreements is questioned. The decision will be issued by the European Court of Justice. In case the Court decides that all the 28 Member States need to approve the Free-Trade Agreements, the treaties that are under negotiation, with Canada and Ukraine, will come into force later than estimated.
In conclusion, the companies need a forward looking and strategic approach in order to identify and anticipate upon possible benefits as well as risks of Free-Trade Agreements.
Therefore, companies can prepare by conducting a review of the Free-Trade Agreements applicable on their whole supply chain, gaining insights on possible opportunities and risks.
Order no. 96/2016 for the approval of the performance criteria for the establishment, appointment and equipping of the voluntary and private services for emergency situations
Order no. 96/2016 for the approval of the performance criteria for the establishment, appointment and equipping of the voluntary and private services for emergency situations has replaced the following orders, which have been repealed as of the date of entering into force of the present order. The repealed orders are: Order no. 158/2007 for the approval of the performance criteria for the establishment, appointment and equipping of the private services for emergency situations, Order no. 718/2005 for the approval of the performance criteria regarding the organizational structure and the equipping of the voluntary services for emergency situations and Order no. 250/2010 regarding the organization and conduct of the training schedules of the prevention specialists part of the voluntary services for emergency situations.
The European Court of Justice ruled that repayment of import duties entail the payment of interest
The European Court of Justice ruled in a decision of January 18, 2017 (Case C-365/15) that the repayment of import duties that have been imposed by a void regulation and unduly paid by an importer, entail the obligation for the customs authorities to pay late payment interest.
Update of the VAT return
The main changes refer to an update of the VAT rate and the insertion of new fields related to the special regime for farmers as well as to the invoices issued during the time when the taxpayer had the VAT number cancelled.
Update of the statement 390
The statement now includes a special field for intra-Community supplies performed by the farmers that apply the special regime.
New Order concerning VAT registration and the ex officio VAT registration cancellation
After form 088 was repealed, on 1 February 2017 the President of the National Agency for Fiscal Administration (NAFA) has issued a new order related to the VAT registration procedure and the procedure for ex officio VAT registration cancellation.
Decision to set quota for work permits that can be issued to foreigners during 2017
On Monday, January 30, 2017 it was published the decision establishing the work permits quota for year 2017 that can be issued to foreign citizens.
New obligations for importers and manufacturers of refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment
Starting 1 January 2017, importers and EU manufacturers of refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment charged with hydrofluorocarbons (fluorinated gases) are not allowed to introduce such equipment on the Union market unless hydrofluorocarbons concerned are accounted for within the quota system referred to in Regulation (EU) 517/2014 on fluorinated greenhouse gases ("F-Gas Regulation").
New procedure regarding the health insurance contribution exemption for certain categories of individuals
In the Official Gazette no. 65 dated 26.01.2017 it was published the Order no. 3697/727/2016 approving the procedure for claiming the health insurance contribution exemption for individuals who are not registered as payers in the health insurance system and the template and content of the form 603 "Personal statement for the health insurance contribution exemption".
New rules governing the activity of the real estate developers and their reporting obligations
By way of background, on 30 September 2016, the Emergency Government Ordinance no. 52 as of 14 September 2016 on credit agreements for consumers relating to immovable property and on the amendment of the Emergency Government Ordinance no. 50/2010 on credit agreements for consumers entered into force, regulating, among other aspects, the activity and the registration with the National Authority for Consumer Protection of the real estate developers.
The registration procedure in the Registry of the Ministry for Economy, Trade, Industry and the Business Environment of the economic operators authorised to perform waste recovery operations was adopted
According to Law no. 211/2011 on the regime of waste, the economic operators that perform waste recovery operations have the obligation to register at the Ministry for Economy, Trade, Industry and the Business Environment.
The adoption of Order no. 1422/2016 which regulates the procedure of registration in the Registry of the economic operators authorised to perform waste recovery operations contributes to the clarification and improvement of the legal framework applicable in the domain of waste, including that of the packaging waste.
The Draft Order for the approval of the form and content of the ”Declaration regarding the obligations owed to the Environmental Fund” is subject to public debate
On January 16th, 2017, following the latest legislative amendments performed regarding the contributions and taxes owed to the Environmental Fund, the Ministry of Environment has put under public debate the Draft Order for the approval of the form and content of the ”Declaration regarding the obligations due to the Environmental Fund”, which is envisaged to be enforced, in order to ensure the alignment of the legal framework applicable to the Environmental Fund obligations.
Brief overview of the Guidelines issued by Article 29 Data Protection Working Party on Data Protection Officers
On 13 December 2016, Article 29 Data Protection Working Party (“WP29”) adopted the Guidelines on Data Protection Officers.
The Guidelines are aimed at clarifying the relevant provisions of the GDPR in order to help controllers and processors to comply with the law but also to assist the DPO’s in their role. The Guidelines also provide best practice recommendations building on the experience gained in some EU Member States
Amendments to the Tax Code
Law no. 227/2015 regarding the Tax Code was amended and suplemented according to Law no. 2/2017 published in the Official Gazette no. 36 / 12.01.2017.
Law no. 2/2017 amends Title IV "Personal Income Tax" and V "Mandatory Social Contributions".
Amendments to the Order regarding software development activities
Order 2284/2016 regarding software development activities was published in the Official Gazette No. 22 / 09.01.2017.
Form 088 was repealed
The President of the National Agency for Fiscal Administration, Bogdan-Nicolae Stan, has repealed the Form 088 (Affidavit to assess the intention and capacity to undertake economic activities involving operations in the scope of VAT).
New Methodology for the computation of contributions, taxes, penalties and other amounts owed to the Environmental Fund entered into force
On December 29, 2016, a new Methodology for the computation of contributions, taxes, penalties and other amounts owed to the Environmental Fund (the “New Methodology”) was published in the Official Gazette of Romania and entered into force on the same day. The New Methodology was approved by Order of the Minister of the Environment, Waters and Forests No. 2413/2016 for the amendment of Order No. 578/2006 and was published in the Official Gazette of Romania No. 1064/2016.
Extension of the application term for certain taxes within energy & resources sector
The Emergency Ordinance no. 99/2016 published in the Official Gazette no. 1035/22.12.2016 extends the application term of certain taxes within energy & resources sector as set by Ordinance no. 5, 6 and 7 /2013 issued by the Romanian Government.
Amendments to the Tax Code
Law no. 227/2015 regarding the Tax Code was amended and suplemented according to Emergency Ordinance no. 3/2017 published in the Official Gazette no. 16 / 06.01.2017.
Emergency Ordinance no. 3/2017 amends Title II "Income tax", III "Micro Enterprise Income Tax", IV "Personal Income Tax" and V "Mandatory Social Contributions".
Law regarding the removal of fees and the amendment of certain laws
Decision regarding the national minimum gross salary