Bulgaria Adopts Flat Tax, Lowest in Europe
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Bulgaria's Parliament accepted the lowest flat tax in Europe after fiery debates. File photo by Yuliana Nikolova (Sofia Photo Agency)
The country's flat tax rate will be the lowest in Europe and among the lowest in the world, down from a progressive rate with three income brackets that currently ranges between 20 and 24 percent.
The amendment proposed by the cabinet triggered fiery debates when it hit the parliamentary floor.
"This tax system will further deepen the social inequality in Bulgaria," Socialist MP Georgi Bliznashki said.
In a country where the shadow economy is estimated at 30-40% the flat tax system is the only way to make oligarchs and rich Bulgarians pay their taxes, former PM Ivan Kostov and leader of rightist Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSB) party struck back.
Since Estonia accepted a flat tax system in 1994 enjoying stable GDP growth, Eastern European countries have been attracted to the flat tax that promises to attract foreign investments and increase transparency.
Slovakia, Romania, Albania and many former Soviet republics have all adopted a flat tax.
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"Transparancy? Yes ok, I live not far from London but I am in Bulgaria every year - normally 3-4 bmonths at a time."
OK furian, but you are not being transparent - in-fact you are worse than a Bulgarian Commie with your murky answers.
Remember how you told us that at one point you were introduced to "English democracy" when you found yourself in Newport Pagnell?
Where did you come from before that?
We know that English is not your native language, from your spelling, either that or you have zero education if you are native....
"I like Bulgaria and some of the people I have met in this country are the finest persons anywhere - gentle, generous and kind"
If this is how "Englishmen" who "like" Bulgaria act, I hate to think about those who don't...
"nobody will ask you to shut up because you are not born in England."
Wrong analogy again.
Britain went around the world trying to colonize all kinds of indigents, they now have to deal with the rest of the world making themselves at home there - we don't.
I hated visiting England.
Cold, and boring place, with visibly depressed people, some of whom have decided that being outrageous is somehow adding spice to their personalities.
England is the only developed country, besides the US, where they ask you at the border "what is the purpose of your visit"?
Losers.
hehe, yeah, bring back the Bad Guy;) No, Furian, if I may tell you something, I actually always knew your real attitude toward the country, it was pretty much clear.
Just a correction- "concern" is written that way. Otherwise, I salute you, express your right do discuss in the future as well and stay happy!
Cheers!
Take it easy, DP and Plamenski as well, I am just another conserned European, no hidden agenda to ambush Bulgaria or Bulgarians. And I agree, I post quite critical remarks and I get reactions. Perfectly all right for me, I am not here to get fans or anaudience. I am exercising my democratic right to express my opinion and have no ambition beyond that. And it works quite well- you disagree or agree and we exchange opinions! Bulgaria is a remarkable country and deserves better than the situation today. There are problems and they consern the ordinary Bulgarians, tourists, visitors, parttime residents like me and a lot of people in Europe. And again, it is not to harm the country, but to contribute for the better. UK has immigrants, residents, guestworkers and visitors from nearly all countries in the world and it makes the United Kingdom quite unique. We discuss foreign policy, the war in Iraq , what Labor and the Tories have done wrong or right, the Royal family and all the scandals etc- nobody will ask you to shut up because you are not born in England. It is a living democracy with all its faults and limits, but that is the way it has to be. Bulgaria is not alone any longer - it has to listen to the other EU members and what I express is shared by millions in EU. And Bulgarians are free and welcome to engage themselves in what is going on in Europe. We non Bulgarians visit the country for a variety of reasons, but do we we have to love all Bulgarians and accept corruption, fraud and dishonest politicians ? Certainly not ! Bulgaria is now in the European community - the world has changed and the conditions are different. Bulgaria is now one of 27 equal members of EU - a teamplayer , not a sulking child who feels sorry for itself and the attrocities in the past ! Welcome to Europe, Bulgaria !
Halleluiah, Furian, Halleluiah!
You sound like a preacher to me. A preacher who talks a lot and says nothing. Your shady presence on this forum is nothing but irrelevant. You are systematically and consistently bullsh!ting against Bulgaria in an irrelevant manner, by comparing apples and oranges. Well thanks for informing the Bulgarian audience on how much better the Norway system is! I really thing that there isn’t a living soul out there that wasn’t aware of your info. Everybody but you I suppose knows that Bulgaria is going through changes, corrections and adjustments which in fact are not something new and very different from all the other ex-communist states. The real question here is; what is your beef with that country of ours? Are you a Bulgarian minority of Turkish origin? Believe me you sure sound like one from the times of Zhivkovs expulsion.
Regardless of who you are, there is a wide world out there with lots of unfairness and injustice, affecting way larger number of people and on a greater scale than the Bulgarian population. Probably it will be better for your soul to tell us about your relation to Bulgaria, tell us your particular negative experience and/or your interest in Bulgaria?
Look at it that way, you are anonymous, nobody really knows who you are, so please share the experience.
“It conserns me and I speak out. I cannot accept the situation as it is- I will keep on provoking and cause reactions and sometimes anger. But do not ask me to close me eyes, ears and hands and be obediant. Bulgaria conserns me and this is my contribution. Not to harm, but in sympathy !”
Furian,
You sound as a perfect demagogue—professing “sympathy” (who wants that?) and concerns by posting-- with messianic determination-- nothing but vicious posts about Bulgaria. Fine contribution by concerned…what??? Forget the past you say, while bringing it up and denigrating Bulgaria in any way you can—even as far as distorting her role in the WWII. This got you even some ovations from one of the forumors—another “friend” of BG—someone that came to BG to teach us how to repent? Another “concerned” in search of glory… This is almost precious!
Furian, you are a hate monger with an agenda. Don’t know what is your angle, but much of what you say points to that. You are not informed about Bulgaria’s Past, Present, and surely blind with hatred when it comes to her Future.
On the other hand you might be nothing worse than a mental case. Take your meds, dear!
Furian, thank you for the slightly warmer than usual reply of yours!
And yes, we do have Bulgarian wines ... naturally! ;-)
But I was expecting more than usual vagueness
You didn't tell us your name, nationality, your interest in Bulgaria, etc?
Put your money where your mouth is, man!
Otherwise you have no moral right to criticise the Bulgarians!
On the other hand, you have every right to remain anonymous on this forum!
Only it's a bit cowardly, don't you think?!
Thank you Plamenski, London is really something special- expensive, dynamic, hectic etc. London is not UK-it is something special. Transparancy? Yes ok, I live not far from London but I am in Bulgaria every year - normally 3-4 bmonths at a time. And I do like wine, and no question about it- wine from Bulgaria rank among the finest in the world. If you are selling Bulgarian wine in UK and London you have my full support and I will recommend you anywhere.
I would like to make it clear- Bulgaria has qualities not found anywhere else in Europe. Perfect climate for growing anything and ask any farmer in UK- Bulgaria is paradise on earth. I like Bulgaria and some of the people I have met in this country are the finest persons anywhere - gentle, generous and kind- I have not enough words for my positive impressions of Bulgarian. But I hate to see a lovely country being raped by greedy, corrupt and irresponsible politicians and officials. I can watch it and say it is not my business, but it is ! It conserns me and I speak out. I cannot accept the situation as it is- I will keep on provoking and cause reactions and sometimes anger. But do not ask me to close me eyes, ears and hands and be obediant. Bulgaria conserns me and this is my contribution. Not to harm, but in sympathy !
