Still, the total amount to be refunded “depends on the citizens who will request it,” the minister added.
An official document presented by MEDIAFAX in spring last year said the Government was considering charging the pollution tax upon the first sale of cars imported before July 1, 2008, but in an amount reduced by 30%, and refunding part of the tax already paid by owners, in installments over several years, to avoid returning EUR750 million all at once.
The new law on the pollution tax lowers the rate by as much as 25% and allows car owners who paid a higher tax after July 1, 2008 to request a refund of the difference. This refund will be reduced if they have unpaid debts to the budget.
The same balance system, provided by the Fiscal Procedure Code, will also be used when refunding the tax’s residual value, when the car is removed from the national car park, says the draft act on the norms for the application of the new tax system. The tax’s residual value is the amount payable for the car’s registration, as it is removed from the car park.
The Government expects the new tax system to generate income of RON336 million, by taxing vehicles registered before January 2007 and sold after the new law enters force, and to cost only RON240 million in refunds. (EUR1=RON4.3627)