The RO e-Transport system has become a central tool for monitoring road transport of goods and reducing tax evasion. With the legislative changes adopted in 2024 and applicable from 2025, the tax authorities have updated the guide to reflect the legislative changes of 2024–2025 related to the RO e-Transport system in Romania.
Update of the RO e-Transport guide in 2025
The new version of the guide is divided into two main sections:
- National transports of goods with high fiscal risk, according to Order 802/2022.
- International transports, regardless of the nature of the goods.
The goods with high fiscal risk are:
vegetables, plants, roots and food tubers, falling within CN codes 0701 to 0714 inclusive;
- edible fruits, citrus peels or melons, falling within CN codes 0801 to 0814 inclusive;
- alcoholic beverages, liquids and vinegar (CN codes 2201 to 2208 inclusive);
- salt, sulphur, earth and stones, plaster, lime and cement (falling within CN codes 2505 and 2517);
- knitted or crocheted garments and clothing accessories (CN 6101 to 6117);
- clothing and clothing accessories, other than knitted or crocheted (CN codes 6201 to 6212, 6214 to 6217);
- footwear, boots and similar articles, parts thereof, falling within CN codes 6401 to 6405 inclusive;
- cast iron, iron and steel (CN 7213 and CN 7214).
Which shipments must be declared in the RO e-Transport system in Romania
Shipment types:
- National transports must be declared if they contain goods with high fiscal risk transported in vehicles that have a technically permissible mass of at least 2.5 tons, and the goods exceed the weight of 500 kg or the value of 10,000 lei.
- International shipments must be declared regardless of the type of goods (import, export, intra-community purchases or deliveries, lohn, stocks).
Who has the obligation to declare in RO e-Transport system in Romania
The obligation to obtain the UIT code depends on the nature of the operation:
- the consignee/sender of the customs declaration for import/export operations;
- the supplier for domestic or intra-community deliveries;
- the beneficiary in Romania for intra-community acquisitions;
- the economic operator for transport between its own points;
- the depository in the transit situation;
- provider for non-transfer (e.g. lohn);
- the customer/supplier for stock operations at the customer’s disposal.
Users who are required to declare goods in E-transport are also required to provide the transport operator/driver with the ITU code for the transported goods. The UIT code must be written on the transport document, legible and without deletions or additions.
How to use the RO e-Transport application?
In order to declare the transport of goods with high fiscal risk and the international road transport of goods, economic operators must be registered in the SPV (electronic private space of the fiscal authorities), in their own name or through a legal representative, through a designated representative or through a proxy.
The structure of the declaration includes:
- General details: transport data (transport date, partner name, partner country, transport organisation country, vehicle number (tractor unit), transport organisation name)
- Start/end places of the transport;
- Goods: information about the goods being transported;
- Transport documents;
- Other information.
Deadlines and validity of the UIT code
Each shipment is identified by a unique UIT code, which allows the tracking of the route of the goods, both nationally and internationally.
The UIT code is generated no more than 3 (three) days before transport and is valid for 5 (five) calendar days. After the departure of the vehicle or entry into Romania, the inputted data in the system can no longer be changed.
Exceptions to the declaration
Shipments for diplomatic missions, NATO or international organizations, excise goods under suspension regime and postal parcels up to 31.5 kg according to GEO 13/2013 are not declared.
Penalties and fines
Penalties
In accordance with the provisions of art. 13¹ of GEO no. 41/2022, the following acts constitute contraventions, if they are not committed under such conditions that, according to the criminal law, they are considered crimes:
- failure to comply with the provisions regarding the obligation of users to declare in the RO e-Transport System the data regarding the shipments of goods that fall under its scope so that they can be identified by the UIT code;
- the use by the road transport operator of the UIT code beyond its validity period;
- unloading on the territory of Romania the goods that are the subject of intra-community transactions in transit, except for those that are subject to storage or the formation of a new transport from one or more consignments of goods;
- declaring in the RO e-Transport System quantities different from those that are subject to the transport of goods
Fines
The facts listed above are sanctioned with a fine of:
- 10,000–50,000 lei (individuals)
- 20,000–100,000 lei (legal entities)
- 5,000–10,000 lei for drivers (lack of UIT code, unused GPS)
If, within a maximum of 12 months from the first sanction of the act, the economic operator commits:
- the second contravention in the category of the above, for which he has already been sanctioned, the contravention is sanctioned with the same fine, plus the confiscation of 15% of the value of the undeclared goods;
- the third contravention in the category of the above, for which he has already been sanctioned, the contravention is sanctioned with the same fine, plus the confiscation of 50% of the value of the undeclared goods;
- the fourth contravention in the category of the above, for which he has already been sanctioned, the contravention is sanctioned with the same fine, plus the confiscation of 100% of the value of the undeclared goods
If the second contravention occurs more than 12 months after the first sanction, only the fine is applied (not the confiscation).
Exception: the complementary sanction of confiscation does not apply if the non-declaration of the transport of goods with high fiscal risk is found after the end of the transport, but the transport is recorded in the supporting documents and is reflected in the accounting in the corresponding period.
Other acts considered contraventions(if they are not crimes) that are sanctioned with a fine:
- Failure to update the transport vehicle information within the validity period of the UIT code.
- Failure to declare the transport in the system by the end of the working day after the system is restored, in case of officially announced malfunction.
- Failure to make the UIT code available to the transport operator/driver by the user, until:
- entry into Romania/place of import, or
- setting the vehicle in motion.
- Changing the data in the system after the start of the transport, except for updating the vehicle information during the validity period of the UIT code.
- Failure to fully declare the goods transported in the system for a consignment of goods.
- Failure to ensure the transmission of vehicle positioning data by the road transport operator throughout the route. (This contravention is suspended until December 31, 2025.)
Who applies the sanctions
ANAF, the Romanian Customs Authority and the Romanian Police have the competence to apply the sanctions. All fines are registered in a centralized register managed by ANAF, the “Electronic Register of Sanctions Applied in RO e-Transport”, according to ANAF Order no. 1659/2025.
Accace Romania’s support
Complying with the obligations related to the RO e-Transport system is a challenge for companies that carry out national and international transports. Our specialists from Romania can support you in the correct interpretation and application of the legislative requirements, the registration and use of the system, but also in the preparation of documentation to avoid penalties and delays.
In the Official Gazette of Romania, Part I, No. 699 of July 25, 2025, Law No. 141/2025 on certain fiscal-budgetary measures (hereinafter referred to as “Law 141/2025”) was published, introducing major tax changes in Romania starting August 1, 2025.
Among the most notable changes are: an increase in the standard VAT rate to 21%, the redefinition of a single reduced VAT rate of 11%, the elimination of certain VAT exemptions, an increase in the dividend tax to 16% starting January 1, 2026, adjustments to the health insurance contribution payment system (hereinafter referred to as “CASS”), higher excise duties, an increase in the additional tax for credit institutions, and others.
Below, we present the most important tax-related changes introduced by Law No. 141/2025.
Value Added Tax (“VAT”)
Law no. 141/2025 introduces a wide range of changes to the VAT regime in Romania, with a significant impact on Romanian taxpayers, especially in the retail, construction, real estate, food industry and NGOs sectors. The changes are valid from 1 August 2025.
Increasing the standard VAT rate to 21%
The standard VAT rate increases from 19% at 21%, applicable to all operations that do not benefit from exemptions or reduced rates.
Increasing the reduced VAT rate to 11%
A single reduced VAT rate of 11% is introduced, replacing the old VAT reduced rates of 9% and 5%, which will be applicable to the following types of operations:
- Supplies of medicines for human use;
- Supplies of food and drinking water whose CN codes will be established by Methodological Norms (with some exceptions – e.g. food supplements, foods with high added sugar content);
- Water supply and sewage services;
- Water supply for irrigation in agriculture;
- Supplies of fertilizers and pesticides, under certain conditions;
- Supplies of school textbooks, books and magazines;
- Supplies of thermal energy in the cold season under certain conditions to certain beneficiaries;
- Supplies of constructions as part of social policy (nursing and retirement homes, foster homes and recovery centers)
- Supplies of catering /restaurant services (excluding alcoholic beverages).
Elimination of the VAT exemption for certain supplies of goods and services in the medical sector
Law 141/2025 also introduces a readjustment of the following categories of operations, which fell within the scope of the reduced VAT rate until 31 July 2025 and will be subject to the standard VAT rate of 21% as of 1 August 2025:
- Supplies of food supplements;
- Supplies of veterinary medicines;
- Supplies of new construction to individuals, under certain conditions (transitional measures will exist until July 31, 2026, as listed below);
- Supplies and installation of photovoltaic panels, solar thermal panels, heat pumps and other high-efficiency, low-emission heating systems, etc.
Transitional regime for the 9% VAT rate, applicable to the delivery of constructions to individuals until July 31, 2026
The reduced 9% VAT rate is maintained for the supplies of constructions to individuals during the period August 1, 2025 – July 31, 2026, under certain cumulative conditions:
- Useful area of the construction ≤ 120 sq m;
- Price ≤ 600,000 Lei (excluding VAT);
- The construction must be delivered and ready to be occupied by July 31, 2026;
- The beneficiary has not purchased any other home with a reduced VAT rate;
- A legal act should be concluded with the object of the advance payment for the purchase of such a construction by August 1, 2025.
In addition, for the above-mentioned legal act, concluded between July 3 and July 31, 2025, a proof of payment of a minimum 20% advance by July 31, 2025 is also required in order to benefit from the reduced VAT rate of 9%.
Elimination of VAT exemption for certain supplies of goods/ services in the medical field
For the following supplies of goods and services that previously benefited from VAT exemption, the standard rate of 21% will apply:
- Construction, rehabilitation and modernization services of hospital units provided to nonprofit entities, if they are offered free of charge to public hospitals or owned by nonprofit entities;
- Similar services provided to companies wholly owned by nonprofit entities;
- Deliveries of medical equipment, devices, accessories and sanitary supplies provided to nonprofit entities (under certain conditions).
Dividend tax
The dividend tax increases from 10% to 16% on dividends distributed starting January 1, 2026, respectively starting on the first day of the amended fiscal year starting in 2026.
Dividends distributed based on the interim financial statements prepared in 2025 (or within a modified financial year beginning in 2025) are subject to the previous tax rate of 10%, without being subject to any regularization subsequent to the preparation of the annual financial statements.
Supplementary tax for credit institutions
The additional tax due by credit institutions according to art. 46^1 of the Fiscal Code, is increased from 2% to 4%, starting with July 1, 2025.
By way of exception, credit institutions with a market share of less than 0.2% (by reference to the total net assets of the Romanian banking sector) will remain subject to the 2% rate.
The newly introduced rate by Law 141/2025 will remain valid for 2026, as well.
Increase of excise duties
Starting August 1, 2025, the level of excise duties will increase, on average, by 10%, for various product categories, including: gasoline and diesel, alcohol, beer, wines, as well as non-alcoholic beverages with added sugar.
Subsequently, in 2026, a new increase is planned, also around 10%.
At the same time, excise duty was established for still wines and fermented beverages, other than beer and wine (eg, apple and perry cider).
Changes regarding income tax and CASS
Law 141/2025 introduces a series of changes in income tax and CASS, the most important of which are listed below.
Income tax:
- Increase of the tax rate for dividend income, which will be distributed starting January 1, 2026 from 10% to 16%;
- The tax treatment of interest income from bonds issued by Romanian legal entities on foreign capital markets is clarified, i.e., they will be taxed at 10% and declared through the Unique Declaration;
- Increase of the tax rate for the minimum range applicable to gambling gains (4%, instead of 3%).
- Introducing into the category of taxable income from other sources, the income of any kind, received as a result of the surrender of ferrous and non-ferrous metals and their alloys, from personal assets, classified as waste.
CASS:
- Pension income will be subject to CASS in Romania for the part exceeding the ceiling of 3,000 Lei. The new regulation applies to income related to the period between August 1, 2025, and December 31, 2027, including pensions received from abroad.
- Along with pension income, other incomes will be subject to CASS such as:
- Childcare allowance;
- Employment insertion stimulus;
- Adoption accommodation allowance;
- Allowance for caring for a disabled child up to 7 years old.
- The following list of individuals who were previously exempt from paying CASS will no longer benefit from this exemption starting with September 1st 2025: spouses and parents without their own income, supported by an insured person, people receiving unemployment benefits or other forms of support from the unemployment insurance allowance, persons on maternity leave, beneficiaries of other social assistance, etc.
- A new procedure is introduced for the option to pay CASS for dependents (such as spouses, parents without their own income). This will require that, for each dependent, the CASS contribution must be paid to a base level, established at the level of 6 gross minimum wages in force on January 1 of the year in which you make the declaration. The option must be exercised by submitting the Unique Declaration, which will highlight the CASS due, and the payment will be made in two installments, i.e., 25% of the amount is paid upon filing the declaration, and 75% of the amount is paid by May 25 of the following year.
Changes in the calculation of medical leave
Medical Certificates (code 01 – common illness):
Starting August 1, 2025, the medical leave benefit for temporary work incapacity will be calculated differently based on the duration of the medical episode:
- 55% of the calculation base for certificates issued for periods of up to 7 days;
- 65% of the calculation base for certificates issued for periods between 8 and 14 days;
- 75% of the calculation base for certificates issued for periods longer than 15 days.
Exception: For medical leaves related to long-term cardiovascular diseases, the benefit will continue to be calculated at 75% of the calculation base regardless of the duration.
Support for implementing these major tax changes in Romania
These major fiscal changes in Romania pose significant challenges for companies and individuals. If you are affected by the new regulations and need support to understand the impact on your business, Accace Romania specialists are here to assist you. Contact us for personalized consultation and effective solutions or discover our tax advisory and tax compliance services in Romania.
Tax changes introduced by GEO 156/2024 in Romania
At the end of 2024, major tax changes were adopted in Romania through Emergency Ordinance no. 156/2024, which will have a significant impact on the business environment and taxpayers starting in 2025. The normative act introduces significant changes to the tax legislation, including the removal of certain tax incentives and the establishment of new conditions in specific economic sectors.
In the Official Gazette no. 1334 of December 31, 2024, the Emergency Ordinance no. 156/2024 was published concerning certain fiscal-budgetary measures in the field of public expenditures for the substantiation of the consolidated general budget for the year 2025, the amendment and supplementation of certain legislative acts, as well as the postponement of certain deadlines.
Below, you will find details about the major tax changes in Romania and its impact.
Dividend tax for legal entities
1. Increase in the tax rate from 8% to 10%.
Dividend tax is determined by applying a 10% rate to the gross dividend paid to a Romanian legal entity.
Effective Date: The new rate applies to dividends distributed after January 1, 2025.
Microenterprise income tax
1. The income threshold for eligibility for this tax system is reduced.
A microenterprise is a Romanian legal entity that, as of December 31 of the previous fiscal year, has earned income not exceeding the equivalent of €250,000 in lei (or €100,000 starting January 1, 2026). It must also meet all the other conditions specified in Article 47 of the Fiscal Code.
Previous threshold: €500,000.
Effective Date: January 1, 2025.
2. Removal of the condition regarding the share of consultancy or management income in total revenues, which had to be below 20% to qualify for microenterprise income tax.
Effective Date: January 1, 2025.
3. Application of a 3% tax rate, starting January 1, 2025, to certain activities corresponding to the following CAEN codes:
- 6210: Custom software development activities (client-oriented software).
- 6290: Other IT service activities.
- 5611: Restaurants.
- 5612: Mobile food service activities.
- 5622: Other catering services n.e.c.
Effective Date: January 1, 2025.
4. If a microenterprise earns income exceeding €250,000 (or €100,000 starting January 1, 2026) during a fiscal year, it will owe profit tax starting with the quarter in which the threshold was exceeded, without the possibility of opting for the microenterprise income tax system in subsequent periods.
Effective Date: January 1, 2025.
5. For fiscal year 2025, the income threshold of €250,000 (or €100,000 starting January 1, 2026) will be verified based on revenues earned by December 31, 2024 (or December 31, 2025, for 2026). The condition regarding the share of consultancy and/or management income in total revenues as of December 31, 2024, does not apply when calculating the €250,000 limit.
Income tax changes in Romania
1. The income tax exemption for employees in IT, construction, agriculture and food industry is abolished.
Effective Date: Starting with income earned in January 2025.
2. The tax rate for dividend income earned by individuals increases from 8% to 10%.
Dividend income, including gains from holding participation titles defined by legislation on collective investment schemes, will be taxed at a final rate of 10%.
Effective Date: The new rate applies to dividends distributed after January 1, 2025.
Non-resident income tax
The tax rate for dividends received by non-residents increases from 8% to 10%.
Effective Date: The new rate applies to dividends distributed after January 1, 2025.
Construction tax
The construction tax is reintroduced. It is calculated by applying a 1% rate to the value of constructions existing in the taxpayer’s assets as of December 31 of the previous year, minus the value of buildings subject to building tax.
This provision also applies to the value of buildings in industrial, scientific, and technological parks that, according to the law, are not exempt from the building tax.
For constructions owned by the public domain of the state or local administrative units, the tax is payable by the taxpayers who manage, lease, or use them for free.
Payment deadlines: The construction tax is payable in two equal installments by June 30 and October 31.
Effective Date: January 1, 2025, with the mention that within 90 days of the entry into force of this emergency ordinance, the Ministry of Finance will issue methodological guidelines for the application of the new provisions regarding the construction tax.
Elimination of tax incentives for certain categories of employees
Starting with income related to January 2025, Emergency Ordinance No. 156/2024 eliminates the tax incentives previously granted to employees in the following sectors:
- IT – the exemption from income tax for employees involved in software development activities is repealed.
- Construction – the exemption from income tax applicable to workers in the construction sector is repealed.
- Agricultural Sector and Food Industry – the exemption from income tax for employees in the agri-food sector is repealed.
As a result, employees in these sectors will pay the full amount of income tax (10%), pension contributions (CAS – 25%), and health insurance contributions (CASS – 10%).
Establishment of a differentiated gross minimum wage
The gross minimum wage for certain economic sectors is set as follows:
- Construction Sector: The guaranteed gross minimum basic salary is set at RON 4,582 per month, excluding allowances, bonuses, and other additions, for an average normal working schedule of 165.334 hours per month, representing an average of RON 27.714 per hour.
- Agricultural Sector and Food Industry: The guaranteed gross minimum basic salary is set at RON 4,050 per month, excluding allowances, bonuses, and other additions, for an average normal working schedule of 165.334 hours per month, representing an average of RON 24.496 per hour.
The amount of RON 300 net, without taxes, for the minimum wage
Starting with the income earned in January 2025 and until December 31, 2025, the measure regarding the tax exemption for RON 300 per month from the gross minimum wage will remain in place. This amount is exempt from income tax and mandatory social contributions if the following conditions are met:
- The gross monthly basic salary, excluding bonuses and other additions, equals the guaranteed gross minimum wage set by Government decision.
- The gross monthly income from wages and wage-like income, excluding the value of meal vouchers, vacation vouchers, and meal allowances, if applicable, granted according to the law under the same individual employment contract for the same month, does not exceed RON 4,300, inclusive.
Mandatory contribution to pillar II private pensions
With the elimination of tax incentives for the IT, construction, and agri-food sectors, the mandatory full contribution to Pillar II private pensions is reinstated. Until now, employees in these sectors paid a reduced CAS contribution of 21.25%, with the difference intended for Pillar II being transferred only if the employee opted in writing.
Following the changes, the legal percentage of 4.75% from CAS will be automatically transferred to Pillar II, without requiring an explicit request from employees. Thus, the contribution to private pensions becomes mandatory again, similar to the regime applicable to other employees in Romania.
Support for implementing these major tax changes in Romania
These major fiscal changes in Romania pose significant challenges for companies and individuals. If you are affected by the new regulations and need support to understand the impact on your business, Accace Romania specialists are here to assist you. Contact us for personalized consultation and effective solutions or discover our services for tax advisory and tax compliance services in Romania.
Tax changes introduced by GEO 115/2023 in Romania
In the Official Gazette no. 1139/2023, the Government Emergency Ordinance no. 115/2023 was published on fiscal budgetary measures for 2024, which introduces significant changes to the fiscal measures previously introduced by Law no. 296/2023. These changes are summarised below:
Corporate income tax
The most relevant changes in the area of corporate income tax concern the following:
- The following are listed as social expenses subject to the 5% limitation on salary expenses: (i) amounts paid by the taxpayer for the children of employees with their placement in early education units, within the limit of Lei 1500 per month per child and (ii) expenses incurred by the taxpayer in respect of units managed by itself as well as for nurseries and kindergartens.
- A 50% limit is introduced for operating expenses relating to a registered office owned by an individualor acquired by the taxpayer, which are not used exclusively for business purposes (i.e. also used for personal purposes).
- Private scholarships are no longer eligible for the tax credit. Private scholarships granted according to the law up to Lei 1500 per scholarship will be cumulated with other social expenses in order to fit within the 5% ceiling applied to salary expenses.
- The deductibility ceiling is reduced from 50% to 30% for adjustments for impairment of receivables that are uncollected within a period exceeding 270 days from the due date, applicable to receivables registered after 1st January 2024.
- Changes are brought to the depreciation of head offices which are not used exclusively for business purposes. Also, in case of use of registered offices for the benefit of shareholders, tax depreciation will not be deducted upon the computation of the corporate income tax.
- Tax losses incurred by the taxpayer will be carried forward up to 70% over a period of 5 years. Tax losses incurred in years prior to 2024 will be carried forward for the remaining 7 years up to a maximum of 70%.
- Changes are made to the excess borrowing costs. Excess borrowing costs which do not finance the acquisition/production of fixed assets which will be subject to an ANAF Order and which are incurred in relation to related parties are deductible up to a limit of €500,000. The ceiling of 500,000 Euro relating to excess borrowing costs incurred with related parties does not apply to credit institutions – Romanian legal entities, Romanian branches of credit institutions – foreign legal entities, non-banking financial institutions and investment firms defined by law. Excess borrowing costs incurred in relation to affiliated/non-affiliated parties may not exceed the ceiling of EUR 1,000,000 in a tax period.
- The corporate income tax may be redirected to sponsorship actions within the eligible limit up to the deadline for filing the corporate income tax return.
- Amounts for electronic cash registers will no longer be eligible for tax credit. Amounts of electronic fiscal cash registers remaining to be carried forward at the end of 2023 are items similar to expenses and their tax depreciation is not deductible.
Microenterprise income tax
- The eligibility conditions for a legal entity to apply the micro regime are modified as follows:
- The number of micro enterprises is limited to 1 (one) for each shareholder who owns, directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the shares/shares of the company; by 31st March of the following year, it shall be determined which of the companies will apply the microenterprise taxregime.
- The requirement to have filed annual financial statements within the legal filing deadline is introduced. For the year 2024, the condition is deemed to be met if the financial statements for FY 2023 are filed by 31.03.2024.
- In addition, for the determination of the ceiling of 500.000 Euro, the income obtained by other related micro-enterprises (definition according to Law no. 346/2006 on the stimulation of SME development) of the micro-enterprise under analysis will also be taken into account.
- From 1st January 2024, the special provisions applicable to taxpayers operating in the Horeca sector – applying the same standard eligibility conditions – are repealed.
- The micro-enterprises that are inactive at the Trade Register will apply the micro regime until they resume their activity, with a reassessment of the criteria after resuming the activity.
- If, during a tax year, the condition of at least 1 employee is not met and/or the financial statements are not timely submitted, the legal entity will owe standard corporate income tax from the quarter in which one of the conditions is no longer met.
- The tax credit for sponsorships/private scholarships/electronic cash registers is eliminated.
Payroll tax
Clarifications for the IT, construction, agricultural and food sectors:
- Wage and salary-related income
For individuals with income from wages and salaries in the IT, construction, agriculture and food industry sectors, who in the course of the same month earn income for a fraction of the month, in the basic function, with one or, as the case may be, several employers in succession, for the application of the exemption, each employer determines the part of the 10,000 lei monthly ceiling corresponding to this period and grants the exemption for the gross monthly income earned, within the limit of the fraction of the ceiling thus determined.
- Contributions to the privately administered pension fund
Individuals in the above-mentioned fields may opt to pay contributions to a privately administered pension fund. The option is filed with the employer and the contribution is deducted from the month following registration of the option. Employees may revoke the option by submitting a written request to their employer, and the waiver will take effect from the following month’s income.
- Reduction of the contribution rate for programmers
The social security contribution rate for programmers is reduced until 31 December 2028, for gross monthly income of up to 10,000 lei. The part of the income exceeding this ceiling does not benefit from tax relief.
Other amendments and additions:
- Teleworking allowance
The provision qualifying the teleworking allowance as a type of income that is non-taxable and not subject to social security contributions, up to a monthly ceiling of 400 lei is repealed, from January 2024.
- Sports facilities for employees
The ceiling for sports facilities paid by employers is reduced from €400/year to €100/year as from January 2024.
- Inclusion of previously non-taxable income in the 33% monthly ceiling
Income representing (i) amounts paid by employers for the early education of employees’ children, but not more than 1,500 lei/month for each child, and (ii) the favourable difference between the preferential interest rate and the market interest rate for loans and deposits, are excluded from the category of non-taxable income covered by Art. 76 para. (4) of the Tax Code and included in the category of income that is non-taxable and not subject to social contributions within the monthly ceiling of at most 33%.
- Calculation of the ceiling for the delegation/secondment/transnational secondment allowances
In the case of delegation, secondment, transnational secondment allowances and the benefits received by mobile workers referred to in H.G. 38/2008, as well as any other amounts of the same nature, the ceiling corresponding to the value of 3 basic salaries corresponding to the post occupied shall be calculated separately for each month by comparing the 3 salaries with the number of working days in that month, and the result shall be multiplied by the number of days corresponding to each month of the period of delegation/secondment/work in another locality, in the country or abroad.
- Inclusion of sick leave allowances in the basis for calculating health insurance contributions:
Starting with January 2024, sick leave benefits become part of the health contribution base, except for those for accidents at work or occupational diseases, which are exempt.
Tax on private income
An allowance of20% is introduced for rental income.
RO e-invoice
Regarding the obligation to issue e-invoices, equal sanctions are introduced for both the issuer and the recipient in case of non-compliance with the legal obligations – the fine is 15% of the total invoice value.
If you have any further questions regarding these fiscal changes, please do not hesitate to contact our Romanian team.
During past years, intragroup transactions have become a reality and a status-quo for recent business models. Financial-wise, companies belonging to a group, either national or international, are prone to tailoring operational and financial flows efficiently depending though on the business model pursued.
Yet, from a tax point of view, such transactions do create an additional pressure and administrative burden for taxpayers that are required to fulfil certain principles set forth by international tax law transposed also into domestic law. Basically, such intercompany transactions shall observe the arm’s length principle.
What arm’s length principle means?
In brief, the price agreed and charged between related parties belonging to the same group (affiliation relationship being assessed based on Romanian tax rules) shall be in line with the price that would have been agreed between totally independent parties for a similar transaction, under similar conditions.
This principle represents the base root of the taxpayers’ obligation to prepare a transfer pricing file according to Romanian tax law. The transfer pricing file represents a comprehensive and complex document aimed to describe the business structure and activities, undertaken functions, risks borne by the parties – that are expected to facilitate the documentation of whether the transfer prices agreed are in line with the arm’s length principle. Even though there are multiple transfer pricing methods to check to document the observance of the arm’s length principle, the most used and preferred by the Romanian tax authorities is the net margin method which supposes to compare the net margin obtained by the concerned taxpayer out of the analyzed transaction with the net margins derived on the market by independent suppliers with a similar functional profile. The analysis consists in a benchmarking study prepared using a specialized database.
What is the exposure of taxpayers carrying out intercompany transactions?
First of all, we would like to mention that the fine that a taxpayer may be subject to is the lowest risk the company is exposed to. Actually, failure to present the transfer pricing file or a robust documentation (which is the common mis-practice) is expected to trigger significant additional tax liabilities in the area of corporate tax in case of a tax audit. Thus, if tax authorities were to consider that the sale price was undervalued, the taxable basis will be adjusted accordingly so as the net margin of the taxpayer reflects the market level. Also, additional tax liabilities are backed up by late payment interest and penalties.
Therefore, the tax team of Accace Romania, by way of its tax and legal department, would be glad to support you in any of the following directions:
- Preparation / review of intercompany contracts that shall accurately reflect the functions and risks each party undertakes / bears. As one may know, the higher the risk, the higher the return and therefore a higher corporate tax. Yet, we have noticed during the tax audits we have assisted that the tax inspectors have leveraged the risk related contractual clauses to challenge the mark-up which should have been higher.
- Preparation / review of the TP mechanism which shall be enclosed in the contract
- Determination of the most appropriate mark-up expected to give to the taxpayer a high level of comfort during the preparation of the TP file, as well as during the tax audit.
- Preparation of the TP file and benchmarking studies
- Assistance in the administrative area, as well as in dispute resolutions with the tax authorities
We remain available to assist you in any of the above-listed directions and to address any questions in relation to any tax and legal topic.
On Friday, October 27, 2023, Law no. 296/2023 regarding certain fiscal and budgetary measures to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of Romania, aimed as tax reform measures – was published in the Official Gazette. The Law contains both tax changes and other measures that strengthen financial discipline. Regarding the entry into force of the measures, some of them have immediate applicability, i.e. November 1, whilst others will enter into force gradually, according to the particular entry into force dates, e.g. November 14, 2023, January 1, 2024, July 1, 2024, etc. We have structured below the tax changes depending on the date of entry into force:
Fiscal changes entering into force on November 1, 2023
Starting with the revenues of November 2023, the tax treatment applicable to employees operating in the IT sector (activities of software development, tax exempt so far), construction, agriculture and agri-food sector is standardized as follows:
- Tax exemption on gross salaries up to a limit of Lei 10,000, inclusive, the portion exceeding the threshold being fully taxable.
- Pension fund contribution of 25% is due, less the mandatory private pension fund contribution of 3.75% (that will increase to 4.75% starting 1st of January 2024) – until 31.12.2028. Employee may though opt for the payment of the thus reduced contribution.
- Health insurance contribution of 10% is due.
- Work insurance contribution is due – 2.25% or the one applicable to special conditions, if the case.
Fiscal changes that enter into force on January 1, 2024
These tax changes target a wider range of tax areas, as we will detail below:
1. Corporate income tax
Minimum corporate tax for taxpayers with a turnover higher than EUR 50 million
- A minimum tax of 1% on turnover is implemented for taxpayers who derived a turnover of over 50 million euros in the previous fiscal year and, during the concerned year, the corporate tax computed at the level of the cumulated profits is lower than the minimum tax.
- The calculation of the minimum corporate tax will be performed as follows: IMCA = 1% x (VT – Vs – I – A), where the indicators are:
- IMCA = minimum tax, determined cumulatively from the beginning of the fiscal year/modified fiscal year up to the end of the quarter/concerned year.
- VT = total revenues, determined cumulatively from the beginning of the fiscal year/modified fiscal year to the end of the quarter/concerned year, as the case may be;
- Vs = revenues that are subtracted from total revenues, determined cumulatively from the beginning of the fiscal year/modified fiscal year to the end of the quarter/concerned year, as the case may be, representing: regulated non-taxable revenues, revenues related to work in progress, revenues from subsidies, compensations for damages.
- I = the value of the purchase/production of assets carried out in the quarter/concerned year, starting with FY 2024, respectively with the modified fiscal year starting in 2024; if the assets are realized during several consecutive years, the value taken into account for the determination of this indicator is the one recorded in the accounting records related to the accounting quarter/year, as the case may be;
- A = accounting depreciation of assets purchased/produced before January 1, 2024 / first day of the modified fiscal year beginning in 2024.
- If the minimum tax is negative, then, it shall be considered NIL.
- The corporate tax that serves as a comparison is the cumulated corporate tax after deducting the tax credit for sponsorship, the bonuses provided for by EGO 153/2020, but without deducting the external tax credit or the tax exemption on reinvested profit.
- Rules are also introduced for taxpayers who apply the annual system with advance payments of profit tax, as well as for members of the fiscal group / responsible person within the group.
Additional tax on turnover for credit institutions – Romanian legal entities and Romanian branches of credit institutions – foreign legal entities.
An additional tax of 2% is established (until December 31, 2025), respectively 1% starting from January 1, 2026 on the turnover derived by credit institutions – Romanian legal entities and Romanian branches of credit institutions – foreign legal entities, tax in addition to the profit tax due.
Additional tax on turnover for legal entities that carry out activities in the oil and gas sectors and that register a turnover of over EUR 50 million in the previous year. The formula for calculating the tax on turnover is: 0.5% x (VT – Vs – I – A).
2. Microenterprise tax
- First of all, we mention that the eligibility conditions for the qualification of a Romanian legal entity as a microenterprise taxpayer have not been changed, as initially proposed.
- The tax rates are amended as follows, depending on new conditions introduced by the law:
- 1%, for microenterprises that derive revenues that do not exceed EUR 60,000 inclusive and that do not carry out the activities provided for in letter b) point 2 below;
- 3%, for microenterprises that:
- derived revenues higher than EUR 60,000; or
- carry out activities, main or secondary, corresponding to the following NACE codes:
- 5821 – Computer game publishing activities,
- 5829 – Editing activities of other software products,
- 6201 – Custom software creation activities (customer-oriented software),
- 6209 – Other service activities regarding 7 information technology,
- 5510 – Hotels and other similar accommodation facilities,
- 5520 – Accommodation facilities for holidays and short periods,
- 5530 – Caravan parks, campsites and camps,
- 5590 – Other accommodation services,
- 5610 – Restaurants,
- 5621 – Food activities (catering) for events,
- 5629 – Other food services n.e.c.,
- 5630 – Bars and other activities serving drinks,
- 6910 – Legal activities – only for professional companies with legal personality, established by lawyers according to the law,
- 8621 – General medical assistance activities,
- 8622 – Specialized medical assistance activities,
- 8623 – Dental assistance activities,
- 8690 – Other activities related to human health.
- Rules are introduced for shifting to one tax rate to another in case of exceeding the threshold of EUR 60,000 or the performance of the regulated activities mentioned above.
3. Income tax
- It is clarified that taxable income represents the equivalent in Lei of meal vouchers within the same limits and conditions, as well as within the same destinations as those provided by law, granted to employees who do not benefit from such vouchers.
- Changes are brought to the types of revenues that are included in the non-taxable 33% basic salary limitation:
- With regard to the value of the food provided by the employer to its own employees, it is mentioned that the number of days in the month in which the employee carries out telework activity or work from home or is on holiday/medical leave/delegation is not taken into account.
- Regarding the value of the touristic and/or treatment services, including transport, during the holiday period, for own employees and their family members, the provisions are not applicable to employees who benefit from holiday vouchers, in accordance with the legislation in force.
- Changes to the computation of the personal income tax for individuals carrying out independent activities subject to cash accounting system: the annual taxable income is the net income from any source out of which pension fund and health insurance are deducted. The deduction of the social contributions are proportionate with the ratio of such revenues in total revenues subject to social contributions.
4. Social contributions
- Health insurance contribution becomes due for meal vouchers and holiday vouchers.
- Individuals who earn income from independent activities from one or more sources are subject to 10% health insurance contribution applied to the annual net income (income allowances) which cannot be higher than the level of 60 gross minimum wages in force upon the submission of the Unique Tax Return.
- Individuals who derive income from independent activities below 6 gross minimum wages are not subject to health insurance contribution as long as they also derive salary revenues or other source of income higher than 6 minimum gross salaries.
- Individuals who obtain income from investment, rental activities, intellectual property rights will be subject to health insurance applied to:
- 6 minimum wages in force upon the submission of the Unique Tax Return, if the income falls between 6 and 12 minimum wages;
- 12 minimum wages in force upon the submission of the Unique Tax Return, if the income falls between 12 and 24 minimum wages;
- 24 minimum wages in force upon the submission of the Unique Tax Return, if the income is at least 24 minimum wages.
5. VAT
- The concept of home that can be lived in as such, for VAT purposes, is redefined.
- For the following products, the VAT rate is increased to 19%: alcohol-free beer, foods with added sugar (over 10g/100g product), with the exception of Romanian specialty (RO: cozonac) and biscuits.
- The following operations will be charged with 9% VAT (increased from 5%):
- the delivery of housing as part of the social policy (i.e. with a useful surface of a maximum of 120 sqm, exclusive of household annexes, whose value, including the land on which they are built, does not exceed the amount of Lei 600,000, exclusive of VAT);
- delivery and installation of photovoltaic panels, solar thermal panels, heat pumps and other high-efficiency, low-emission heating systems, including installation kits, as well as all necessary components purchased separately for housing/central public administration buildings or local with the exception of commercial companies;
- delivery and installation of components for the repair and/or expansion of systems as a component part of construction deliveries;
- services that consist of access to malls, amusement parks and recreational parks whose activities are included in CAEN codes 9321 and 9329, fairs, exhibitions, cinemas and cultural events, other than those exempt from VAT;
- services consisting of access to sports events.
- The following operations will be charged with 19% VAT (increased from 5%):
- the right to use sports facilities whose activities are included in NACE codes 9311 and 9313, other than the exempt ones;
- the transport of persons by trains or historical vehicles with steam traction on narrow lines for touristic or leisure purposes;
- the transport of persons using the cable transport facilities – cable car, cable car, chair lift, ski lift – for tourist or leisure purposes;
- the transport of persons with animal-drawn vehicles, used for tourist or leisure purposes;
6. Excise duties
- Unharmonized excise duties are introduced for the following categories of products: products containing tobacco, intended for inhalation without burning; liquids with or without nicotine, intended for inhalation without burning; products intended for inhalation without burning, containing tobacco substitutes, with or without nicotine; non-alcoholic drinks with added sugar for which the total sugar level is between 5g – 8g/100ml; non-alcoholic drinks with added sugar for which the total sugar level is more than 8 g/100 ml.
- We remain available for details regarding the tariff classification as well as other conditions provided by law.
7. Special tax on high value goods
- The special tax on high-value goods is introduced for the following categories of taxpayers:
- Individuals who, as of December 31 of the previous fiscal year, own residential buildings in Romania solely or under joint ownership whose taxable value exceeds Lei 2,500,000. The tax is computed as 0.3% applied to the difference between the taxable value of the building communicated by the local fiscal body through tax decision and the threshold of Lei 2,500,000;
- Individuals/legal entities that own vehicles registered in Romania and whose purchase value exceeds 375,000 lei. The special tax is computed as 0.3% applied to the difference between the purchase value and the threshold of Lei 375,000 and is due for a period of 5 years from the date of registration of the vehicle or for the fraction of time until the completion of the 5-year period.
- Deadlines for submission of the tax return and payment of tax:
- April 30 inclusive of the current fiscal year – for owners of residential buildings;
- December 31 inclusive of the current fiscal year – for vehicle owners.
8. Generalized B2B RO-invoice system
- Electronic invoicing becomes mandatory under B2B regime as follows:
- Starting January 1, 2024, economic operators established in Romania for VAT purposes, as well as those not established in Romania but registered for VAT purposes that supply goods / services with the place of supply in Romania, are required to issue electronic invoices and send them in the national RO-invoice system, regardless of whether the recipient is enrolled in the system or not. Exports and intra-Community deliveries of goods are excluded.
- The deadline for submitting invoices in the national RO e-Invoice electronic invoice system is 5 working days from the date of the invoice, but no later than the 15th of the following month.
- Grace period: during January 1 – March 31, 2024, there are no penalties for non-compliance with the obligations to submit invoices in the RO e-Invoice system.
- Contraventions for failure to comply with obligations in the e-invoice field:
- Lei 5,000 – 10,000 for large taxpayers;
- Lei 2,500 – 5,000 for medium taxpayers;
- Lei 1,000 – 2,500 for other legal entities, as well as for individuals.
Fiscal changes – entry into force from July 1, 2024
- Starting July 1, 2024, only invoices issued and transmitted in the national RO-invoice system by taxable persons established in Romania under the B2B regime for supplies of goods and services taxable in Romania will be considered invoices within the meaning of art. 319 of the Fiscal Code, without the need for being accepted by the recipients.
- Revenues discovered by the tax authorities whose source is not identified will be subject to a 70% tax rate applied to an adjusted basis.
Measures aimed to strengthen financial discipline – entry into force November 14, 2023
- Law 296/2023 amends also Law no. 70/2015 for strengthening the financial discipline regarding the operations of cash collections and payments and for the amendment and completion of EGO no. 193/2002 regarding the introduction of modern payment systems, with subsequent amendments and additions.
- The changes concern the operations of cash collections and payments, as follows.
- Cash collections and payments can be performed under the following conditions:,
- Collections from legal entities, freelancers and other similar entities, within the limit of a daily ceiling of RON 1,000.00 per person;
- Collections made by cash and carry stores, from legal entities, freelancers and other similar entities, within the limit of a daily ceiling of RON 2,000.00 per person;
- Payments to legal entities, freelancers and other similar entities, within the limit of a daily ceiling of RON 1,000.00 / person, but not more than a total ceiling of RON 2,000.00/day;
- Payments to cash and carry stores, within a total daily ceiling of RON 2,000.00;
- Advance payments, within the limit of a daily ceiling of RON 1,000.00 per person;
- The cash amounts in the cash register of legal entities cannot exceed, at the end of each day, the ceiling of RON 50,000.00. Cash amounts that exceed the ceiling are deposited in the bank accounts of these persons within 2 (two) working days;
- By way of exception, it is allowed to exceed this ceiling only with the amounts related to the payment of salaries and other personnel rights, as well as other operations with individuals, for a period of 3 (three) working days from their scheduled payment date.
- Non-compliance with above provisions constitutes contraventions being sanctioned with a fine in an amount equivalent to 25% of the amount collected/paid, respectively held in the cash register, which exceeds the established ceiling, for each type of operation, but not less than RON 500.00.
- Split cash collections from beneficiaries for invoices whose value is greater than RON 1,000.00 and, respectively, RON 2,000.00, in the case of cash and carry stores, as well as splitting invoices for a delivery of goods or a provision of services whose value is greater than RON 1,000.00, respectively RON 2,000.00 are forbidden.
- Split cash payments to suppliers of goods and services for invoices whose value is higher than RON 1,000.00 and, respectively, RON 2,000.00, to cash and carry stores are prohibited. The persons provided for in art. 1 paragraph (1) from Law 70/2015 can pay invoices with values that exceed the ceiling of RON 1,000.00, to suppliers of goods and services, respectively of RON 2,000.00, to cash and carry stores, as follows: RON 1,000.00 /RON 2,000.00 in cash, the amount exceeding this ceiling can only be paid through non-cash payment instruments.
- Cash collection and payment operations between legal entities, freelancers individuals, representing the consideration for deliveries or purchases of goods or services, dividends, assignments of claims or other rights and receipts or reimbursement of loans or other financing it is carried out within the daily ceiling of RON 5,000.00 to/from one person, until December 31, 2024 and RON 2,500.00, starting from January 1, 2025.
- The operations of cash collections and payments performed between legal entities, freelancers and individuals as shareholders/administrators/natural persons/other creditors save for institutional creditors that carry out financial intermediation activities representing loans regardless of their nature and destination area allowed only through non-cash payment instruments.
In light of the global pandemic and the widespread adoption of remote work, nonresident companies have increasingly turned their attention to the Romanian workforce, particularly in sectors that can easily accommodate remote work arrangements. As part of their strategies to attract and retain employees, these companies are considering entering into individual labor agreements with Romanian tax residents who will work from their home offices in Romania.
Permanent establishment in Romania for tax liabilities
However, before proceeding with such agreements, it is essential for these companies to conduct a thorough analysis of the risk of generating a permanent establishment (PE) in Romania.
The concept of a permanent establishment holds significant importance as it determines the potential corporate income tax liabilities that nonresident companies may face in Romania. Recent declarations made by the Romanian tax authorities have emphasized the necessity for nonresident companies to carefully evaluate whether their activities conducted through their employees in Romania satisfy the criteria for establishing a permanent establishment.
Determining the existence of a permanent establishment involves considering various factors, such as the nature and duration of the activities conducted, the presence of employees or agents in Romania, the utilization of facilities, and the level of authority exercised within the country. It is advisable for nonresident companies to engage professional guidance and conduct a comprehensive examination of the available information to accurately assess the potential PE risk.
Social contributions in Romania for non-resident companies
In Romania, there are several social contributions that are in the charge of the employee on a monthly basis: health insurance contribution and social (Pension) insurance contribution, while the work insurance contribution is in the employer’s charge.
The currently available alternatives for nonresident companies to declare and pay social contributions in Romania are the following:
- Registration of the nonresident employer for social contribution purposes in Romania. Thus, the employer will file monthly tax returns by way of which social contributions will be declared and paid to the State Budget. Regarding personal income tax, it will remain in the charge of the employee who is also be required to file the personal income tax return on a monthly basis. In conclusion, two separate returns will be submitted on a monthly basis.
- Shifting the responsibility in terms of social contributions to the employee by way of concluding a separate agreement with the employee who will take over the obligations thus arising. Hence, the employee will file one single tax return comprising also the personal income tax and social contributions on behalf of the employer and will pay all tax liabilities arising as a result of the employment agreement.
Each alternative entails pros and cons which shall be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
Rely on experienced Romanian advisors for a peace of mind
Our team of experts not only provides valuable insights and guidance but also offers a range of additional benefits to streamline your business operations. By entrusting Accace with your agenda, you can save precious time as our dedicated advisors communicate with authorities and handle all necessary documentation. We ensure that every form is meticulously filled, sparing you the hassle of paperwork.
Moreover, our expertise allows us to identify the proper registrations required for your specific needs, eliminating unnecessary costs.
The tax and corporate advisory team of Accace Romania is able to assist you in the entire process starting from the analysis of the permanent establishment risk, preparation of the employment agreement, tax registration and monthly tax and payroll assistance in any of the above mentioned alternatives.
With Accace, you can rest assured that you’re on the right track, making informed decisions and optimizing your resources.
We are getting very close to the most important tax deadline of the year when individuals who derive income from Romania or from abroad, other than salary related revenues, are required to prepare and file the Unique Tax Return for revenues earned during 2022, as well as for the estimations performed for 2023 and settlement of the tax payments for 2022.
Thus, according to the Romanian tax calendar, 25th May 2023 represents the deadline for declaration and payment of the income tax and social contributions for 2022 and revenue-estimation for 2023. The types of revenues falling under this obligation are: revenues from freelancing activities / liberal professions, rent, dividends, capital gains, interest, cryptocurrency revenues, etc.
If this legal obligation applies to you or you would like to know more details, our tax specialists may assist you in the entire flow starting from assessment of the tax status of the individual, determining the correct tax treatment, as well as in the preparation and submission of the Unique Tax Return.
The Romanian Tax Department colleagues are gladly available to address any questions which may arise in relation to the above information, as well as to any other tax area.