Over 53,000 taxpayers in Chisinau have failed to pay on time their real estate taxes amounting to a total 28.5 million lei. While the number of debtors dropped from last year, the number of those owing 1,000 lei or more rose. Now they face forced collection proceedings, the Chisinau Local Tax Division warns.

The Division’s head Gheorghe Gasnaş said that the first deadline for paying the property tax expired on August 15. About 72% of the due amount was voluntarily paid, which is, however, by two percentage point more than last year. Also, due to the fact that the tax rate rose for non-residential property, the total amount paid also increased.

While the number of debtors reduced by about four thousand from last year, the number of those owing amounts of 1,000 lei or grater increased. According Gheorghe Gasnaș, in their case the Division will resort to forced collection.