According to the bill, if the pollution tax paid after July 1, 2008 is higher than the new tax, the car owner may request a refund of the difference.
The new tax will be charged for both new and used cars registered for the first time in Romania, regardless of whether the vehicle was produced in the country or abroad, as well as for cars registered before 2007, for which the tax was not paid.
For vehicles registered before 2007, the pollution tax will be paid when transferring the ownership rights, once the new law enters force, said the Environment Ministry.
The tax rate will be determined according to the engine’s type and size, CO2 emissions and vehicle depreciation.
Minister Laszlo Borbely said refunding the difference between the old tax and the new tax will cost the budget 240 million lei (EUR58 million) this year. The money will be refunded through the county finance departments, from the Environment Fund budget.
On the other hand, the new version of the tax should bring in around RON331 million, from the approximately 110,000 cars registered before January 1, 2007, for which the tax has not been paid.
The first draft of the amended tax bill said the rate would be reduced by around 30%, as of July 1.