Filing tax returns online costs 90 euros

Romanians who want to file their tax returns online have to pay 90 euros for the acquisition of a digital certificate from a privately-held company selected by the Romanian state, an 80-fold higher cost compared with that of sending the documents by post. The digital certificate is an electronic document that replaces the hand-written signature, and is used as guarantee to the fiscal authorities that the tax returns belong to a certain person and were sent by them. “I don’t think the method can already be used this year, because there is no more time for that. It is a costly method for individuals. There shouldn’t be cost differences between online submission and filing with the financial administration offices. The measure should make the process smoother. There is no justification for the extra costs,” says Alina Timofti, a partner with Nestor Nestor Diculescu Kingston Petersen law firm. She says submitting the tax returns online is done in many countries, but is not compulsory. “It is an easier procedure, however it also entails a much better functioning administrative system.”