The sale of non-urban agricultural plots became significantly more difficult
Beginning with the 13th of October 2020, the sale, respectively the purchase of agricultural plots in outer city areas has become significantly more difficult. The basis for such change is represented by the law No. 175/2020 (hereinafter referred to as “Law 175”), which was published on 14.08.2020 and amended the law No. 17/2017 on the sale of agricultural plots located in non-urban areas (hereinafter referred to as “Law 17”).
NEWSFLASH Procedure for short-time work and financial support for telework in force
NEWSFLASH - Procedure for short-time work and financial support for telework in force As previously announced, the Emergency Ordinance 132/2020 implemented not only “Kurzarbeit” (short-time work), but also provided a financial support for employers whose employees performed telework. In a nutshell, Kurzarbeit implies that the employer reduces the working time and the salary of affected employees, with the state covering 75% of the employee’s salary loss; The employer is entitled to a one-time allowance amounting to RON 2,500 for each employee who performed telework according to Law 81/ 2018 for at least 15 working days during the state of emergency, in order to acquire goods and technological services necessary for the telework. You can access our previous information on Kurzarbeit here and the one on the telework support here. For both types of state support, the procedures have been published, meaning that the legal framework is now complete and can be applied. With regard to short time work: The Order 1393/2020 providing the documents which have to be filed for the reimbursement of the short time work indemnity has been published and will enter into force on 19.09.2020. Basically, the employer will have to file a request for the previous month and attach an affidavit regarding the fulfilment of all conditions, a list of affected employees and evidence regarding the payment of taxes and social contributions in order to obtain the indemnity from the state. If accepted, the payment will be made within 10 days as of (both) the application and the payment of the income tax/ social contributions for the respective month. With regard to the support for telework: The Order no. 1376/2020 regulates the method of granting such allowance and the goods which may be acquired with it. The allowance is granted through the agencies for employment (AJOFM) on a first-come-first-serve basis, within the funds allocated for this purpose. The following new goods and technological services may be acquired: Laptops/ notebooks Tablets Smartphones Peripheral input and output equipment related to the goods mentioned above Equipment necessary for the internet connection of the goods mentioned above Licenses regarding the operating systems and software applications related to the goods, necessary for carrying out the telework, in accordance with Law 81/2018, The technological services are defined as all means related to the information and communication technology which the employer has to provide to the employees performing telework according to law 81/2018. Application for the allowance The employer uploads the following documents on the platform www.aici.gov.ro : Application; Affidavit and List of teleworkers for which the allowance is required. The templates of the mentioned documents are attached to the Order. If accepted, the payment shall be made within 10 days as of the submission of the full documentation. Justifying documents The Order identifies the documents justifying the acquisition of the goods and services, which have to be provided by the employers as scanned copies within 30 days as of the day on which the allowance is granted. In case of non-compliance with such obligation the employer will fully reimburse the amount received. We would be pleased to answer any questions you might have. Sincerely, STALFORT Legal. Tax. Audit.
Romania introduces short time work („light“)
Many countries have introduced – in part for quite a while – regulations on short time work. After several initiatives were launched in Romania in this regard at the beginning of March, the Government has now finally adopted the long-awaited regulation. Thus, the Romanian law has become acquainted with the reduced schedule work since 10.08.2020.
Ultimate Beneficial Owners at a Glance
We have tackled the subject of the ultimate beneficial owners (Ro. beneficiar real) on a regular basis in our past articles. Shortly after Romania was sanctioned due to its failure to implement the 5th anti-money laundering directive, two changes of the money laundering law were adopted in July. The subject is far from being exhausted. By means of the questions below, we will try to synthesize the most important regulations, as well as the issues not yet clarified.
Further fiscal support measures
The Emergency Ordinance (“EO”) No.99/2020, issued on the 25th June 2020, extends certain payment terms and temporary measures taken during the state of emergency and also includes some tax benefits.
Fiscal measures after the state of emergency
Following the state of emergency, in order to encourage the Romanian business environment, Romanian Authorities came with a series of fiscal measures and facilities. All the new provisions, which change and/or complement the provisions of the Fiscal Code, are detailed in Government Emergency Ordinance (G.E.O.) no. 69/2020, published on 14.05.2020. We would like to bring to your attention the most important topics.
Anti-money laundering rules: the electronic central register for accounts
On 11.07.2019, Law No. 129/2019 on preventing and combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism was put into effect. It underwent several changes, among which the one made through the Emergency Ordinance (“EO”) No. 111/2020.
Amendments to the insolvency law in Romania
At the present time, there is consensus around the world: the COVID-19 pandemic will have significant economic consequences in all countries. In the eurozone, many states face a drop in their gross national product for the second quarter of 2020: Spain by 18,5%, France by 13,8%, Italy by 12,4% and Germany by 10,1% . This, of course, is a red flag pointing to a possible increase in insolvency cases, also in Romania.
NEWSFLASH - Short-time work is finally regulated! (supplemental)
NEWSFLASH - Short-time work is finally regulated! (supplemental) As announced last week, on 10.08.2020 Romania has joined the circle of European states implementing short-time work during the pandemic. The Emergency Ordinance 132/2020 (the "EO") is the result of an initiative launched as early as at the beginning of March, in which our law firm was actively involved. Supplemental to the general principles, conditions and limitations applicable to the short-time work legal frame, presented in our previous Newsflash, we have prepared an overview of the new rules with regard to special categories of employees/ employment agreements. Please find more details here.
NEWSFLASH - Short-time work is finally regulated!
NEWSFLASH - Short-time work is finally regulated! Many states have successfully used short-time work during the pandemic to keep their economies alive and reduce unemployment. Fortunately, Romania has joined this circle since 10.08.2020. The Emergency Ordinance 132/2020 (the "EO") is the result of an initiative launched as early as at the beginning of March, in which our law firm was actively involved. Please find more details here.