At the same time, additional revenue to the treasury from VAT is expected to total 1.6 billion lei, from excise taxes—2.7 billion lei, and from taxes on vices—820 million lei. Prime Minister Vasile Tofan noted that the previous version of the new tax policy aimed to raise an additional 6 billion lei for the budget, which sparked a very heated public debate. "This new formula aims to bring 5.1 billion lei into the budget—slightly less, but we have now seen a more constructive response from the business community and citizens, and we are pleased that we have identified the necessary priorities," said the prime minister. Vasile Tofan emphasized that 2.7 billion of the 5.1 billion lei planned to be collected additionally for the treasury will come from increases in excise taxes, primarily on tobacco and gambling. He noted that the bill could be refined following parliamentary discussions and called on civil society and the business community to submit their proposals on this matter. The prime minister pointed out that some changes had already been made between the presentation of the first draft and the final version of the new tax and budget policy. Among the examples cited were food products, for which a reduction in the VAT rate is proposed. He also mentioned the case of feminine hygiene products, where the authorities took civil society's suggestions into account, abandoned their plan to raise the VAT to 20%, and kept it at 8%. It should be noted that the bill approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on Tuesday provides for amendments to the Tax Code, the Customs Code, and other relevant regulatory acts, and was developed following consultations with the business community, government agencies, and taxpayers. According to the Ministry of Finance and the government, the new measures are aimed at creating a fairer, simpler, and more predictable tax system, stimulating investment and the reinvestment of profits, as well as gradually harmonizing national legislation with European Union standards. Finance Minister Victoria Belous clarified that the tax policy is, for the most part, scheduled to take effect in 2027, with the exception of VAT on parcels, which, according to the proposal, will take effect on October 1 of this year. With regard to personal income tax, it is proposed to increase the personal tax exemption from 29,700 to 40,020 lei per year. At the same time, the conditions for proving "primary residence" will be improved, granting taxpayers the right to claim a tax exemption upon the sale of their primary residence, even if they did not properly establish residency there, but resided there, and it was their only place of residence. Additionally, outstanding income tax liabilities of up to 100 lei will no longer preclude the right to the 2% deduction. The capital gains tax rate will remain at 12%, but it will be applied in full, without a 50% reduction on the excess amount. The dividend tax rate will increase from 6% to 8% only for profits earned beginning in 2027. Cash donations made by economic entities to individuals will be taxed at a rate of 12%, compared to the current 6%. The package of measures also provides for the introduction of a 6% tax on profits from gambling and lotteries, applied to funds deposited into gaming accounts and to the cost of lottery tickets, respectively. With regard to the income tax on corporations and individuals engaged in business activities, the 0% rate on undistributed profits will be extended until 2029, and the threshold for eligibility for the tax exemption will increase from 100 million to 200 million lei. The tax rate for small farms will be fairly aligned with that of sole proprietors and salaried employees in comparable situations, and will be set at 12% instead of the current 7%. In addition, the income threshold for business and management consulting services—above which the special tax regime of 4% of turnover cannot be applied—will be lowered from 60% to 25%. The income tax exemption for savings and loan associations, labor unions, and patronage organizations, as well as private educational institutions, will be abolished; these entities will be subject to the standard 12% rate. A temporary rate of 18% will be set for 2027 on income from financial and insurance activities. The following changes are proposed regarding VAT: extending the reduced 8% rate to poultry and eggs, as well as maintaining the 8% rate for bread, milk, vegetables, and fresh fruit grown in Moldova—essential goods for the population. A reduced rate of 12% will be introduced for certain livestock, crop, and horticultural products, as well as for certain fresh fruits. For residential natural gas consumption, effective April 1, 2027, a reduced rate of 8% will apply to volumes up to 150 cubic meters per month per consumption point, while consumption exceeding this limit will be taxed at the standard rate. The VAT exemption with the right to deduct for electricity—up to the first 100 kWh per consumption point—will also be maintained. The proposed measures will take effect on April 1, that is, after the end of the heating season. The VAT rate for the HoReCa sector will increase from 8% to 12%, which will maintain a preferential rate compared to the standard rate. At the same time, a special VAT regime and a processing fee of 12 lei per package will be introduced for goods imported remotely with a value of up to 150 euros per package. This measure will eliminate the unjustified competitive advantage that cross-border e-commerce has over local merchants. Regarding excise taxes, a clear adjustment trajectory is proposed for the next three years. Specifically, it is proposed to increase excise taxes on tobacco products by 20% in 2027 and by 15% in each of the following years—2028 and 2029. An excise tax will be imposed on nicotine-free liquids. Excise taxes will be imposed on certain non-alcoholic beverages containing sugar or sweeteners, energy drinks, and recreational fireworks. In addition, an excise tax will be introduced for the first time exclusively on electric vehicles, calculated based on the vehicle's weight; however, a 25% preferential rate and tax breaks for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles will remain in effect next year. Other changes are aimed at improving tax administration through digitization and process optimization, classifying violations by severity, and imposing proportionate fines. Debts of up to 20 lei for each economic category will be automatically written off. At the same time, the property tax will be simplified by establishing a threshold of 4 million lei for the assessed value of residential real estate, including vacation homes. The 0.8% rate will apply only to the value exceeding this threshold. With regard to local taxes, the changes are aimed at increasing predictability, transparency in decision-making, and proportionality when local authorities set tax rates. For road taxes, the deadline for paying the annual tax will be tied to the date of the vehicle's periodic technical inspection. In the customs sector, measures are provided to protect bona fide operators, including in cases where non-compliance with requirements is caused by the operation of the Customs Service's information systems. // 07.09.2026 — InfoMarket.