The National Union of Bars in Romania (UNBR) warns that the Government’s proposal to increase the CASS calculation ceiling for people with independent activities, from 60 to 90 gross minimum wages on the economy, seriously affects the fiscal stability and demands the withdrawal of the project.
“From 24 to 60, now to 90 minimum wages – CASS ceiling For independent professions it was pushed at an unprecedented level. UNBR requests the withdrawal of this proposal that directly strikes lawyers and other professions, endangering the fiscal balance and access to the citizen to justice. We did not limit ourselves to reacting, but we mobilized with us the other professional organizations and representatives of independent professions, to act together in the defense of our rights ”, It is shown on the UNBR Facebook page.
“It turns into a true” independence fee “
UNBR points out that the proposed modification contravenes the fundamental principles of equity, proportionality and predictability and says that “This fiscal pressure is not only an additional task, but it turns into a true “independence tax”
“We consider that any measure with an impact on a profession or socio-professional category must be based by an impact study and adopted only after a real consultation with its authorized representatives. Unfortunately, the government did not initiate any discussion with the professions concerned. In fact, each profession is facing their own difficulties, and the lack of dialogue makes these realities not be taken into account“, Says UNBR, in a statement sent on Tuesday.
The National Union of Bars in Romania disapproves that the authorities did not understand to consult the liberal professions, to know their position and to correctly evaluate the real impact of such a measure.
“Lawyers, like other independent professionals, have already endured a significant increase in this ceiling two years ago, from 24 to 60 minimum wages. It has been created then that this task, although heavy, will remain stable for a long period of time, being included in the package of fiscal-budgetary measures” to ensure Romania “. A new increase now, just two years away, not only is excessive, but also transmits a dangerous signal of instability and lack of tax predictability. The proposal to increase the CASS ceiling at 90 minimum wages is not only excessive, but also dangerous for fiscal and social balance. Such a measure exceeds the reasonable limits and contravenes the fundamental principles of equity, proportionality and predictability“, is shown in the statement.
“All taxpayers benefit from the same package of medical services”
UNBR warns that such a measure would create major distortions and serious consequences:
“It is a disproportionate burden. No other category of taxpayers supports such a high ceiling. For other types of income, the limit remains at 24 minimum wages. It is inequitable and discriminatory. All taxpayers benefit from the same package of medical servicesbut those who work independently are obliged to pay much more. It affects access to justice, as well as other essential services for society. Additional costs will inevitably lead to increased fees, which will make lawyer services less accessible to citizens with average or low income. Taxation is not only a matter of figures, but especially of principles: it must be fair, proportional and predictable ”.
The National Union of Bars in Romania also says that “Whenever these principles are violated, the result is not social solidarity, but the injustice and imbalance that undermines the basis of the fiscal system ”.
UNBR sent the government a memoir
The National Union of Bars in Romania has already transmitted a memory regarding the draft law for the modification and completion of some normative acts, regarding the proposal to amend art. 170 para. (1) of the Fiscal Code, to the Government of Romania-to the attention of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Finance-to the attention of the Minister of Finance, the Ministry of Justice-to the attention of the Minister of Justice, as well as to the presidents of the two Houses of Parliament and the parliamentary groups. The document, adopted by the Permanent Commission of UNBR, exposes in detail the reasons why such a change contravenes the principles of legislative stability, fiscal equity and free access to justice.
UNBR asks the Government to return to this measure and keep the current ceiling of 60 gross minimum wages, which is the only solution to maintain fiscal equity, legislative stability and free access to justice.
“At the same time, we reaffirm our availability for an open dialogue with the authorities so that the fiscal policies are built in the interest of society, not against those who serve it ”is shown in the statement.
The memory can be downloaded from here.
