The patent holders are dissatisfied with the fact that they will be able to work based on a patent until July 2023 only and that no other patents will be issued. They said the state pushes the traders towards the underground economy as they cannot do what this requires of them. The concerns were formulated in a meeting with officials of the Ministry of Economy. For their part, the authorities said it’s time for these traders to switch over to independent activity, with a modern cash register that ensures direct connection with the State Tax Service, IPN reports.
Olga Chapki, the leader of the initiative group of patent holders from Ștefan Vodă, said they are accused of everything as if they are the biggest profiteers, criminals and smugglers. But they only want to be able to work. They pay taxes and contributions on time and should not be deprived of the opportunity of working as entrepreneurs.
Eleonora Herghelegiu-Ţurcanu, a representative of the association based in Căușeni, said the authorities speak nicely about independent activity, but the real situation is different. There were situations when the cash register simply didn’t work when it was very cold. They will be ready to renounce the patent only when they see decent working conditions. “The state pushes us towards the unground economy. The decision not to issue patents anymore represents sheer discrimination,” stated Eleonora Herghelegiu-Ţurcanu.
Alexandru Vișnevschi, a patent holder from Rezina, noted that most of the firms have double-entry bookkeeping, while patent holders purchase goods from these at rather high prices to which they have to add the profit margin so as to earn something and this way they become noncompetitive.
Minister of Economy Dumitru Alaiba said that not all the 5,000 patent holders can be accused of violations or bad intent. But it’s time to switch over to independent activity. This enables traders to get rid of all kinds of papers, reports. They will receive free up-to-the-minute cash registers connected to the State Tax Service. Once in three months, they will pay a tax of 1% of their sales at the post office or the bank. This percentage is probably lower than the sum they pay now for the patent.
The deadline by which trade based on patent was allowed was extended from December 31, 2022 until July 1, 2023. The entrepreneur’s patent is now used to retail at kiosks, stalls pavilions and from motor vehicles, including in locally grown highly perishable foods, on condition the sanitary and epidemiological norms concerning storage, keeping and selling are respected.
Economic experts noted this regime was introduced as a stage of transition for the patent holders to later register their economic activities as a legal form of entrepreneurial activity. But it was extended for multiple times and has been used for over 20 years. Patent-based entrepreneurial activity generates concerns as it is attractive for committing tax evasion, avoiding reporting and inspections and selling smuggled and counterfeit goods. The experts consider the last time limit should no longer be extended.
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