What do Romanians think about the VAT cut on food?

12 May 2015
Normal

What do Romanians think about the VAT cut on food?

12 May 2015

Most Romanians believe that the VAT cut on food is a good measure both for them and for the local economy.

Almost 84% of Romanians agree with the statement “the VAT cut on food and non-alcoholic beverages is a good measure for me personally,” according to a recent INSCOP survey. Only 5.4% have an opposite view.

Over 78% think this a good measure for the economy while 5.9% think the opposite.

One in three respondents (34.5%) believe “lower taxes mean less money for health, education and infrastructure.” On the other hand, 38.8% do not agree with this statement, probably thinking that tax reductions can indirectly bring more money to the budget.

Over 47% of Romanians believe that prices will be lower after June 1, the date when the VAT cut will become effective, but the drop will not fully reflect the cut. Almost 32% think that there will be no price reductions, and over 19% believe that prices will fall, fully respecting the VAT cut.

Some 62% of Romanians like the Government’s decision to reduce the VAT on food from 24% to 9%, and only 28.9% preferred the general VAT cut from 24% to 20%.

According to this survey, over 91% of Romanians said they paid their taxes, and only 6.2% confessed that they haven't always been good taxpayers. However, only 16.4% of respondents believe that everybody pays taxes in Romania.

Most Romanians, namely 61.8%, believe the state should sanction those who don’t pay their taxes, regardless their income, while 32.6% think that authorities should be softer to those with lower incomes, and 5.6% didn’t answer this question.

When it comes to small companies that don’t pay their taxes, only 26.4% of Romanians think the state should be softer with these taxpayers while 66.6% believe the state should apply the same sanctions to all companies, no matter their size.

The survey was conducted between April 23-30, 2015, on a sample of over 1,000 respondents, at the request of Adevarul newspaper.

Romanian Government cuts VAT on food to 9%

Retailers in Romania: Shelf prices will reflect VAT cut on food

xRomanian Government: VAT cut will have EUR 4.1 bln impact on the budget

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

Romania Insider Free Newsletters