Rossen Jeliazkov: Taxi carriers will be financially supported by the state

The state is ready to support taxi carriers to alleviate the economic consequences of COVID-19. This was announced by the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Rossen Jeliazkov within a meeting with representatives of the taxi industry.

"The implementation of the measure will be carried out jointly with the municipalities responsible for determining the alternative tax, which is paid by taxi carriers. The state will bear the difference between the amount of the tax determined by the municipal councils and the amount paid for 2020. According to Local Taxes and Fees Act, the tax on taxi transport of passengers is in the range of BGN 300 to BGN 1,000, and the specific amount for the respective year is determined by the municipal councils until October 31 of the current year”, Minister Rossen Jeliazkov stated. As an example, he pointed out that for Sofia Municipality the municipal council has determined the amount of the tax for 2020 to be BGN 850. In this way, under the envisaged support mechanism, the difference between BGN 300 and 850, which is BGN 550, would be covered by the state budget by supplementing the municipal budget, the Minister explained.

"I expect the municipal councils, in partnership with the state, to initiate the implementation of the measure as soon as possible in order to support taxi carriers", Minister Rossen Jeliazkov said.

In the framework the meeting, changes in Ordinance №34 on taxi transport of passengers were also discussed.