- The global minimum tax must be incorporated into the Romanian legislation by the end of the year.
- CEE countries exhibit varied corporate profit taxation, with average tax rates between 15 and 20 percent.
- The adoption of digital technology has allowed countries with high standard VAT rates to ensure compliance and streamline their tax processes.
Mazars, a leading global audit and consulting firm, unveils its eleventh edition tax brochure, a comprehensive guide to current tax trends and regulations in 25 European and Central Asian countries. This guide, which has grown from covering 15 countries in 2013 to 25 in 2023, delves into a broad spectrum of tax issues, focusing on corporate income taxation, transfer pricing, employment, and VAT or similar taxes.
Mazars' analysis of regional taxation trends in 2023 reveals significant shifts in key areas. While minimum and average wages are experiencing an upward trajectory, the region is witnessing the conclusion of a period marked by reductions in wage-related taxes and social contributions. The European Union's concerted efforts against harmful tax competition have led to the impending incorporation of the global minimum tax into national legislation by year-end. Furthermore, the adoption of digital technology is revolutionising value-added tax collection efficiency across the region. Additionally, transfer pricing rules have become intrinsic components of the tax systems in nearly all Central and Eastern European markets, as highlighted in the 2023 Tax Guide.
„Unveiling the Tax Guide now couldn't be more timely”, commented Dr. Dániel H. Nagy, tax partner at Mazars. „In light of the impending 15% global minimum corporate tax rate set for 2024, it is essential for countries and corporations alike to comprehend the vast legislative adjustments and prepare accordingly.”
The 2023 guide offers a detailed analysis of tax regimes across a range of countries including Central and South-Eastern Europe, Germany, Austria, Moldova, Ukraine, the Baltic States, and for the first time, Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.
CEE countries exhibit varied corporate profit taxation, with average tax rates between 15 and 20 percent. In 2022, Austria alone reduced its tax rate, from 25 percent to 24 percent. While Hungary maintains the lowest tax rate at 9 percent, specific sectors may experience tax rates on profits as high as 50 percent.
Last year, following a fierce debate, EU countries agreed to adopt the global minimum tax rules of the EU directive into national legislation by 2023. The rules, referred to as Pillar II, mandate a minimum effective tax rate of 15%, which is the actual tax rate after applying various discounts and adjustments. This directive applies to multinational groups with at least €750 million turnover at the group level and at least one member operating in the EU.
While the specifics of the transposition into domestic tax law are still unclear, the primary legislative goal is anticipated to be maintaining competitiveness post-global minimum tax adoption. It is expected that other taxes, including local business tax and income tax on energy suppliers, might be considered in calculating the effective tax rate, Dr. H. Nagy added.
Pillar II is potentially the biggest change in terms of corporate taxation of the last two to three decades and the multijurisdictional approach means more complexity in terms of alignment between the HQ and subsidiaries part of an MNC, data gathering and compliance, as well as increased compliance costs. Consequently, we expect that Pillar II implementation will, at least in the beginning, challenge both the taxpayers in scope, as well as the various national tax authorities, and significant focus and resources will need to be allocated especially on the part of the MNCs.
Lucian Dumitru
Partner, Tax
This year's guide also underscores the crucial role of advanced technology in the finance sector, demonstrating how its use in value-added tax (VAT) collection is enhancing efficiency and broadening the scope of revenue generation. The adoption of digital technology has allowed countries like Hungary and Croatia, which have high standard VAT rates, to ensure compliance and streamline their tax processes.
We hope that Romania will have the same good results regarding the tax collection, especially the VAT, further to the implementation of some digital tools such as SAF-T, e-Invoicing, and e-Transport.
Bianca Vlad
Partner, Tax
In 2023, trends toward lower income and employment taxes halted, displaying stark differences among European countries. Some countries like Bulgaria and Ukraine maintain a uniform income tax rate, while others such as Austria and Slovakia adopted progressive taxation.
Employers’ social taxes and contributions average 16% of gross wages, with notable disparities between countries. A useful comparison metric, the tax wedge, indicates the proportion of total income paid to the state, which ranges from 14 to 48 percent across the region.
„Austria and Slovakia lead with the highest tax wedge”, said Dr. H. Nagy, noting wage levels vary significantly among countries. The minimum wage ranges from around €200 in Kosovo and Moldova to over €2,000 in Slovenia, Germany, and Austria.
Despite high inflation, the average private sector wage level in euro terms only increased by about 5 percent over the past year.
This guide gives an excellent comparison of taxation on labour in CEE and can be used as guidance for the Romanian reform of the taxation of labour income, as described in the World Bank Report of March 2013.
Edwin Warmerdam
Partner, Head of Tax
Regarding transfer pricing, Moldova will introduce mandatory TP documentation from 2024, meaning all the CEE countries will enforce TP regulations.
With all CEE countries adopting the arm’s length principle and documentation requirements, transfer pricing remains a top priority for local tax authorities, as shown in the Guide’s TP level of attention scoring. The next challenge for large groups is the transition to Public Country-by-Country reporting in EU, with Romania being the first to implement the new rules.
Liviu Gheorghiu
Partner, Tax
Click here to download the full report.
Click here to visit the interactive online platform of the Mazars CEE Tax Guide 2023.
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Press contact
Mădălina Lazăr, PR & Corporate Communication Executive, Mazars in Romania
madalina.lazar@mazars.ro / +40 763 385 622
About Mazars
Mazars is an internationally integrated partnership, specialising in audit, accountancy, advisory, tax and legal services*. Operating in over 95 countries and territories around the world, we draw on the expertise of more than 47,000 professionals – 30,000+ in Mazars’ integrated partnership and 17,000+ via the Mazars North America Alliance – to assist clients of all sizes at every stage in their development.
*Where permitted under applicable country laws
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About Mazars in Romania
In Romania, Mazars has 28 years of experience in audit, tax, financial advisory, outsourcing, consulting, and sustainability. We empower over 300 people to deliver our promise to clients with confidence.
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