Romania’s new car pollution tax, that came into force on January 13, highlights some of the red tape in the system. The 25 percent lower tax allows Romanians who have paid the higher tax, started in July 2008, to get a rebate. But applicants have to calculate the difference unaided on Romania’s National Agency for Fiscal Administration (ANAF) website, in order to avoid overcrowding the desks of the tax agency.

A tax refund request has to be submitted to the authorities, followed by several documents, such as the document that proves they have paid the pollution fee or special fee for cars - fiscal receipt, payment order and account statement, copies of the car’s identification card and registration certificates. Then, the refund applications are processed by the tax authorities within 45 days, reads a statement of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. The first applicants have complained that the system is too complicated, Romanian media reports.

The tax is calculated on several criteria, such as the type of engine, the capacity, the CO2 emissions and the state of the car.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Photoxpress.com)