Democrat Liberal Official Accuses Govt Of Incompetence In Managing Car Tax Issue

Stolojan said the Government is not capable of drawing up a car tax legislation to meet the requirements of the European Union.

“The car tax has to be annulled because it is pure nonsense,” the official said.

Prime Minister Tariceanu last week said that the new car tax formula to be debated by government in the Monday meeting, correlates the stipulations of the Romanian legislation with the requirements of the European Union in reducing the pollution levels.

People close to the matter said last week that the European Commission approved the new formula of the car tax forwarded by the Romanian government, according to which the CO2 emissions level will be considered for both Euro 3 and Euro 4 cars.

According to the new car tax formula, car owners will pay a higher tax for new cars, which are seen to be used for a longer period of time than an older car.

The government introduced the car tax early last year, when the elimination of excises for imported vehicles thinned the state budget. The tax was immediately frowned upon by the EU, which considered it discriminating against used EU imported cars. The first registration tax, as it was called, was calculated depending on engine capacity, car age and level of emissions.