Weather Gets Cooler Starting Wednesday
The weather in Romania will get cooler starting Wednesday, January 13, and will linger for days, according to meteorologists.
In the upcoming period, maximum temperatures will range between 2 and 11 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures will range between -5 and 2 degrees Celsius.
Meteorologists also said the wind will blow harder mainly over the mountain crests and fog will be settling in low-lying areas, in the morning.
In capital Bucharest, the weather will be warm, with maximum temperatures reaching 8 – 9 degrees Celsius and minimum temperatures reaching -1…0 degrees Celsius. (Adevarul)
Finance Ministry Gives Details About Submission Of Statements For Tax On Buildings
The Finance Ministry released a document in which it states that natural persons owning non-residential buildings or mixed-use buildings (both residential and non-residential) since December 31, 2015, are obliged to submit a statement until March 31, 2016.
Natural persons owning non-residential buildings or mixed-use buildings, where they have a registered office, must submit a statement until March 31, 2016 even if they do not carry out any business activity there.
Natural persons must submit the application form for Model „2016 ITL 001“, while legal entities must submit the application form for Model „2016 ITL 002“.
Romania’s new Tax Code sets that the tax on buildings will be computed depending on what a building is used for, namely, for residential or non-residential purposes, and not depending on owners (natural persons or legal entities). (Adevarul)
Government Assigns RON100M As Guarantees For First Car Program In 2016
The Romanian government decided to assign RON100 million as guarantees for the “First Car” lending program in 2016, which is way lower than RON350 million assigned in 2015. Just some RON3 million were used from last year’s budget.
The “First Car” program is now relying on the successful government-backed cash-for-clunkers program (Rabla). Thus, car owners can use for the “First Car” the voucher obtained from scrapping their old cars, which is evaluated at RON6,500. The Rabla voucher can be used to cover the downpayment of at least 5% that must be paid in order to obtain the “First Car” loan.
Only the people who never had a new car are eligible for this program. The value of the new car bought through the “First Car” scheme cannot be higher than RON50,000 (VAT not included). (Evenimentul Zilei)
Electricity Bills To Fall On Average 8% Starting January
Electricity bills will be 8% lower on average starting January 2016, after the lowering of the value added tax and of the distribution tariffs, stated Energy Minister Victor Grigorescu.
Romania cut the standard VAT rate to 20% from 24% as of January 2016. Also, the energy regulator ANRE cut electricity distribution tariffs by an average 12% as of January 1. These tariffs account for 40% of the final price.
ANRE representatives said, however, that electricity prices will actually fall by up to 4%, because several elements were considered.
Natural gas prices will remain unchanged until April 1. (Puterea)
Former PM Ponta Ironizes President Iohannis
Former prime minister Victor Ponta posted a message on Facebook in which he spoke ironically about President Klaus Iohannis.
Ponta reproduced the statement made by Iohannis right after the Colectiv nightclub fire.
„«People had to die so I can have my own Government!”» Iohannis said after the tragedy at the Colectiv nightclub.
Romania’s government stepped down in November 2015 amid ample street protests in the wake of a nightclub fire that left 63 people dead and scores injured. The accident was widely perceived as a consequence of widespread corruption. (Evenimentul Zilei)