Excises to cars bring losses to both citizens and State, Serafim Urecheanu

Due to an increase in the excise tax on vehicles imports have fallen, which ultimately influenced the accumulations to the State budget. President of the Court of Accounts (CC) Serafim Urecheanu noted that in such a case both the citizen and the State has something to lose, reports Info-Prim Neo. During the Customs Service activity report for 2011 at the Court of Accounts, it was remarked that the increase in excise to automobiles from 1.13€/cubic cm to 3.5 €/cubic cm has had a negative impact on the number of cars imported. The report-maker communicated that last year registered 321 units less than 2010. The audit report underlines the fact that the decrease in the number of imported units lead to the decrease of State income by 12.5 million lei. The CC’s rapporteur says that an analogous situation has been registered with the income on jewelry imports. Thus, after modifications to the excises on jewelry were made, of 30 lei per gram of gold and 2 lei per gram of silver, the State Budget missed on almost 22 million lei in 2011. On the other hand, Deputy Minister of Finance Victor Barbaneagra stated that last year’s contribution of the Customs Service to the State Budget was higher than the planned target. According to the official, this is a sign that the calculations that had been made were efficient. As for excises on jewelry, the Deputy Minister says that only Moldova, as opposed to the European states, applies excises on jewelry imports. According to Victor Barbaneagra, these measures are necessary for fighting against the illicit import of jewelry. The Deputy Minister added that the authorities intend to lower the excises on jewelry, most likely starting with 2014.