PM says VAT increase triggered higher tax collection level

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc has recently said that the increase in the Value Added Tax (VAT) from 19 to 24 percent was translated into a 25-percent rise in tax collection. 'I have noticed that as far as the rise in the VAT is concerned, VAT tax collection in the first month of its implementation was 25 percent higher than in the months before. This could be a positive signal, but we have to wait and see how things evolve. The VAT tax revenues collection is up 25 percent compared with the average collection of the months before, so we are somehow on schedule,' Boc said at the beginning of a Government meeting on Wednesday. He added that as far as the collection of rates and taxes to the budget and the fight against tax evasion are concerned, these are two major priorities of the Government. The rise in the VAT from 19 to 24 percent was decided by the Government late June this year. AGERPRES