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Fiscal Retrospective
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| In the context of the need to adjust the very high budget deficit, far exceeding the EU-admitted level of 3%, the year 2025 brought a series of changes in highly diverse tax matters. | ||
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| Fiscal adjustments and Perspectives | The main changes are outlined below: | |
| Increase in VAT rates | Probably the most visible tax change consisted in the adjustment of VAT rates from 5%, 9%, and 19% to 11% and 21%, respectively. This change came into effect on August 1, 2025, and remains in place in 2026. According to public sources, if the current budget projection is accurately achieved, there is no intention to adjust these rates in the very near future. | |
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Increased taxation on property and motor vehicles
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A second measure with a very visible impact is the change in the method ofdetermining local taxes and fees. This is one of the measures that has been postponed several times and brings the level of taxation from a very low value to one closer to the applicable European level. Given that these taxes and fees have not been updated |
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Increase in dividend tax
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Probably the third measure in terms of budgetary impact is the increase in dividendtax from the current 10% to 16%. It should be noted that two years ago, the dividend tax was 5%, but it was increased rapidly, in stages, first to 8%, then to 10%, and from January 01, 2026 it will become 16%. This is basically a return to the tax rate of 10 years ago (from 2015). It is important to note that for interim dividends distributed and paid during 2025, the tax rate valid until December 31, 2025, namely 10%, will be maintained. |
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Reduction of the minimum turnover tax and introduction of limitations on the deductibility of |
From January 01, 2026, the minimum turnover tax rate will be reduced from 1% to0.5%, and from January 01, 2027 it will be eliminated, and for multinationals that are not subject to the minimum turnover tax, the deductibility of expenses related to intellectual property rights, management and consulting will be limited to a maximum of 1%. |
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Flat tax rate for micro-enterprises |
Starting with January 01, 2026, entities that meet the conditions for applying the special tax regime for micro-enterprises will owe a single tax rate on micro-enterprise income of 1%, eliminating the 3% rate. |
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Increase in personal income tax on income from financial investments
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As of January 01, 2026, gains obtained by individuals from the transfer of securities and from transactions with derivative financial instruments carried out through brokers will be taxed at increased tax rates. Thus, for holdings sold after more than one year, the tax will be increased from 1% to 3%, and for holdings sold after less |
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Increase in tax on personal income from crypto currencies |
Gains from cryptocurrency transactions will be taxed at 16% as of January 01, 2026, compared to the current rate of 10%. |
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Income norm |
Starting January 1, 2026, the income norm may not be lower than 12 gross minimum base salaries, calculated according to their level as of January 1 of the year in which the income is earned. |
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Taxation of independent/rental income and increase in the maximum calculation basis for CASS for income from independent activities |
The category of independent income will also include income from the provision of accommodation services, namely from the short-term rental of more than seven rooms located in privately owned dwellings, which will be taxed separately from other rental income. At the same time, for all independent income, the maximum annual basis for calculating health contributions will be increased from 60 to 72 gross minimum wages per country. |
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Calculation basis for CASS for independent activities |
Increasing the calculation base to 72 minimum wages for income from independent activities will mean an additional burden for liberal professions, freelancers and small entrepreneurs, especially those with uneven income and/or seasonal activity. |
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Introduction of a 25 lei tax for non-EU parcels |
As of January 01, 2026, a tax of 25 lei will be introduced for each parcel with a declared value of goods below 150 euros delivered to Romania from outside the European Union. |
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New conditions regarding payment instalments are introduced |
Starting with January 01, 2026, it will be mandatory to submit an authenticated guarantee agreement, and the conditions for payment deferral under the standard procedure will be tightened. The amounts for which payment deferrals are granted for principal tax liabilities will also be changed as follows: between 500 lei and 100,000 |
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Dissolution ex officio |
New rules are being introduced regarding automatic dissolution for taxpayers declared inactive who do not reactivate within one year for those declared inactive by National Authority of Fiscal Administration (ANAF) or upon expiry of the suspension period at the National Trade Register Office (ONRC) for taxpayers who do not |
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Reduced payment deadline for current tax liabilities and fines for maintaining instalment plans |
In order to maintain payment deferrals and simplified deferrals, the deadlines by which individuals must pay their current tax liabilities, fines and obligations established by other authorities are reduced from 180 days to 60 days. |
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Adjustments and perspectives with commercial implications |
In addition to strictly fiscal adjustments, there are a number of changes that influence the business environment in Romania and the way commercial transactions are conducted. Among the most important changes are: |
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The obligation for Romanian companies to have a bank account in Romania |
As of January 01, 2026, companies will be required to have either a bank account in Romania or an account opened with the Treasury. |
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Declaring a taxpayer as fiscally inactive |
New rules are being introduced regarding the declaration of a taxpayer as inactive. Thus, in addition to the existing criteria, if a taxpayer does not have a bank account in Romania or with the Treasury or has not submitted their tax returns within five months of the due date, they may be declared fiscally inactive. |
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The minimum share capital will have to be |
As of December 18, 2025, newly established companies must have a minimum share capital of 500 lei, and those already established with a net turnover of over 400,000 lei must have a minimum share capital of 5,000 lei. |
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Generalisation of bank card payments |
Starting with January 01, 2026, all goods traders and service providers will be required to accept card payments, regardless of the level of cash receipts. This removes the previous ceiling of 50,000 lei for cash receipts. |
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Stricter penalties for undeclared work |
As of December 01, 2025, penalties for undeclared work will be tightened. Fines for undeclared work will increase to 40,000 lei per person identified from 20,000 lei per person previously, and the maximum amount of fines will increase to one million lei from 200,000 lei previously. |
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Additional restrictions on the transfer of shares |
Starting on December 01, 2025, the transfer of shares held by a partner in a limited liability company that controls the company will only be enforceable against the central tax authority if certain restrictions are met. |
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Prohibitions on loans received from shareholders |
As of January 01, 2026, a prohibition on repaying loans received from shareholders or affiliated entities will be introduced when the company’s net assets are less than half of its share capital. |
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Tax planning and customised solutions |
The year 2025 marked the beginning of a comprehensive tax reform aimed at reducing the budget deficit through a series of concrete measures with a significant impact on the business environment and individuals. In addition, related legislative changes, such as the requirement for bank accounts in Romania and the widespread use of card payments, indicate a clear trend towards modernisation and transparency in the economy. Rapid adaptation to this new fiscal and commercial framework will be essential for companies and investors in the coming period.
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