Thank you.
Newsletters
-
2023
-
New Bulgarian Whistleblower Protection Act:
New Bulgarian Whistleblower Protection Act:
Bulgarian National Assembly accept a new Whistleblower Protection Act (“The Act”), which was promulgate in the “State Gazette” No 11 dated 02.02.2023 and will enter into force as of 04.05.2023 for all obliged entities except the provisions applicable for employers in the private sector, who have between 50 and 249 workers or employees, to whom the requirements for creating of internal reporting channel for submitting reports will apply as of 17.12.2023. The Act introduce the requirements of the Directive (EU) 2019/1937 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2019 on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law. The Whistleblower Protection Act has the purpose to protect persons in the private and public sector, who report or publicly disclose information about breaches of Bulgarian legislation or acts of the European Union, which became known to them during the performance of their work.Obliged entities
The obliged entities pursuant to the Act are:- employers in the public sector except the Municipalities with population less than 10,000 people or less than 50 workers or employees;
- employers in the private sector with 50 or more workers or employees;
- employers in the private sector, regardless of the number of workers or employees, if their activity falls within the scope of the activities detailed in the Act (such as activity in financial or insurance sector);
Setting up of an internal reporting channel
The obliged entities in the private sector with a total number of 50 to 249 workers or employees may use a common channel for internal reporting by appointing one person or a separate unit for handling of reports. This exception shall not be applied for the employers in private sector, who perform activity within the scope of the Acts of the European Union, pursuant to the Whistleblower Protection Act. The obliged entities in the private sector could use an internal reporting channel, created by the economy group, to which they belong, if the channel meets the requirements of the Act. Also the obliged entities in the private sector may assign the functions of receiving and registering reports for breaches to another natural or legal person outside their structure.Requirements for the employers
The employers, who are obliged entities pursuant to the Act, shall:- Set up an internal reporting channel for breaches, which meets the requirements of the Act;
- Provide clear and easily accessible information about the conditions and procedures for reporting of breaches;
- Designate one or more officials, responsible for handling of reports (that could be the Data protection officer and in case of lack of such officer – another employee);
- Adopt internal whistleblowing rules, analyze the practice of applying this Act and update the rules at least once every three years;
- Create and maintain a register of reports of breaches;
- Submit the necessary statistical information to the national body for external reporting of reports in accordance with the procedure established by it;
- Fulfill other obligations provided for in the Act.
Persons granted protection
Pursuant to the Act, protection is granted to a reporting person, who is a natural person who files a report or publicly discloses information about a breach, that has become known to him in work-related context, including in his capacity as worker, employee, civil servant, a self-employed person, volunteer, intern, job candidate, shareholder, member of management or supervisory body of an undertaking, person, who works for a natural or legal person, its subcontractors or suppliers, etc. Persons who help the reporting person in the process of filing a report, persons who are related to reporting person and legal entities, in which the reporting person has a shareholding, for which he works or with which he is otherwise connected in a work-related context, are also protected.Measures to ensure protection
Any form of retaliatory actions against the reporting persons or the other protected persons, as repression, putting in a disadvantageous position, threats or attempts of such actions, is prohibited by the Act. The forms of retaliatory actions could be dismissal, demotion, negative assessment of work, imposition of disciplinary penalties, discrimination, premature termination of a contract, damages, including to the person's reputation, in particular in social networks, or financial losses, including loss of business and loss of income, etc. In case of breach of prohibition for retaliatory actions, the reporting person has the right to compensation for the property and non-property damages suffered. Damages, caused to the reporting person in connection with the report submitted by him or the publicly disclosed information are considered to be caused intentionally.External reporting of breaches
The central authority for external reporting of breaches and for the protection of the persons, to whom such protection is provided within the Act, is the Commission for Protection of Personal Data ("the Commission"). In the powers of Commission enter: organizing the adoption of the reports, giving methodological instructions to the obliged entities, adopting an ordinance for keeping the report’s register of the breaches, approves forms for receiving reports, include applying the administrative measures provided for in the Act.Sanctions
The Act provides different amounts of sanctions, depending on the type of breaches, which range from BGN 400 to BGN 20,000. For repeated breaches, the amount of the sanctions is BGN 5,000 to BGN 30,000. When it is established that the person has intentionally filed a report, containing false information or made public false information, he shall be punished with a fine of BGN 3,000 to BGN 7,000. For questions and the further need for assistance regarding the interpretation and application of the new Whistleblower Protection Act, the team of TPA Bulgaria is at disposal.This Newsletter is a service of TPA
Kind regards
your TPA-Team
Contact: TPA Bulgaria EOOD Str. Rakovski G.S. 128 1000 Sofia Tel.: +359 (2) 981 66 46 Fax: +359 (2) 981 66 46 http://www.tpa-group.bg http://www.tpa-group.com If you want regular information please sign up for our newsletter.
-
New Bulgarian Whistleblower Protection Act:
-
2022
-
Newsletter 9/2022
In relation to the amendments adopted by the Bulgarian Parliament on the State Budget Act for 2022, promulgated in State Gazette dated 05.07.2022, the following amendments of the amount of tax relief for children under the meaning of art. 22c and 22d of the Income Taxes on Natural Persons Act are applicable.
Amendment of the amounts of tax relief for children
For 2022 the income tax base of employees shall be deducted with the following amounts:- For one minor child – total of BGN 6 000 per year
- For two minor children – total of BGN 12 000 per year
- For three or more minor children – total of BGN 18 000 per year
- For children with disability – total of BGN 12 000 per year
I. Advance partial use of the tax relief in July and October 2022
A new rule has been implemented that the tax relief can be used in advance by the employees, as:- The tax relief due for the period January to June can be used in July 2022 by deducting the tax base for July with the following amounts:
- BGN 3 000 for a parent of one minor child
- BGN 6 000 for a parent of two minor children
- BGN 9 000 for a parent of three or more minor children
- The tax relief due for the period July to September can be used in October 2022 by deducting the tax base for July with the following amounts:
- BGN 1 500 for a parent of one minor child
- BGN 3 000 for a parent of two minor children
- BGN 4 500 for a parent of three or more minor children
- The third option is using the full amount of the tax relief at the end of the year, the same way as this rule has been applied before the current amendments.
III. Recent changes in the Labor Code
Legislative changes related to promoting of transparency and predictability of the employment relationship and reconciling of the employment and family responsibilities
On 01.08.2022 entered into force the last amendments to the Bulgarian Labor Code (“LC”) related to promoting of the transparency and predictability of the employment relationship and the reconciling of the employment and family responsibilities. The aforesaid changes to the LC transpose into Bulgarian legislation Directive 2019/1152/EU on transparent and predictable working conditions in the EU and Directive 2019/1158/EU on work-life balance for parents and carers.Transparency and predictability of the employment relationship
The adopted legislative changes develop some of the already existing provisions of the LC but also implement some new obligations of the employer.Amendments in the LC which aim at increasing the awareness of the employees for their employment rights are:
- Obligation of the employer to inform the employees in writing of any changes in the employment contract not later than the date of their entering into force (Article 66, paragraph 5 of the LC);
- Obligation of the employer to inform the employees of the content of the internal salary rules (Article 127, paragraph 1, item 5 of the LC) – together with the obligation for informing the employees of the internal employer’s regulations and the internal health and safety regulations;
- Obligation of the employer to inform in advance the employees on the grounds and manner of termination of the employment contract (Article 127, paragraph 1, item 6 of the LC);
- Obligation of the employer to inform on a regular basis the employees on any trainings for increase of their professional qualifications, organized by the employer (Article 127, paragraph 1, item 7 of the LC).
Amendments in the LC which aim at a higher predictability of the employment relationship are:
- Implementing a short probation period (up to 1 month) towards the employment contracts concluded for a limited term of less than 1 year (Article 70, paragraph 1 of the LC);
- Limitation of the prohibition for concluding an employment contract with another employer (Article 111 of the LC) – the prohibition could only be applied for the purposes of protecting commercial secret and/or prevention of conflict of interests;
- Implementing a right of the employee to propose in writing the contract term to be changed to unlimited/the part-time work to be changed to full-time (Article 119, paragraphs 2 - 4 of the LC) – in case of refusal to amend the employment contract, the employer is obliged to provide the reasons on the refusal in writing in a 1-month term;
- Obligation of the employer to cover the costs for trainings on improvement of the employees’ qualification (Article 228a, paragraph 2 of the LC) – applicable in case such trainings are obligatory as per the employment contract, a collective employment agreement or the applicable law. In such cases, the training shall be considered working time.
Reconciling of the employment and family responsibilities
The changes to the LC aim at ensuring more possibilities for the employees to balance their work and private life.The amendments related to reconciling of the employment and family responsibilities are:
- Implementing a new type of a leave to be used by fathers (adoptive fathers) for taking care of a child at the age of up to 8 years (Article 164c of the LC) – the leave is 2 months and could be used at once or in parts subject to several conditions and limitations. The period of the leave is recognized as work experience and the father (adoptive father) is entitled to social security benefits;
- Implementing a right of the employees parents (adoptive parents) of a child at the age of up to 8 years to propose in writing the amendment of the employment relationship (Article 167b, paragraph 1 of the LC) – the proposed amendment might be related to change of the duration and the distribution of working time, switching to remote work or any other changes in the employment relationship which would enable the reconciling of the employment and family responsibilities of the employee;
- Implementing a right of the employees who, due to strong medical reasons, are taking care of a parent, child, husband, sibling, husband’s parent or other close relatives to propose in writing the amendment of the employment relationship (Article 167b, paragraph 2 of the LC);
- Conditions for applying the right (Article 167b, paragraphs 3 - 6 of the LC):
- The proposed amendment shall be for a limited term;
- The employees are entitled to propose earlier the employment relationship to be restored back to the initial work conditions;
- additional agreement to the contract or to refuse the amendment to the employee;
- The employer’s refusal shall be in writing and shall contain the employer’s reasons for the refusal.
-
Newsletter 9/2022
-
2020
-
Newsletter 8/2020
TPA expands its Legal Services in partnership with Savov & Partners Law Firm The international tax advisory, accounting and audit company TPA has formed a partnership with the law office “Savov & Partners” in Sofia (Bulgaria). With Valentin Savov and his team TPA will position itself as a leading tax and law firm in Bulgaria. The renowned Bulgarian lawyer Valentin Savov has been working with great success for more than 15 years for leading legal firms in Bulgaria, Japan and the Netherlands. He has been the Managing Director of “Savov & Partners” since 2016. With his many years of experience, he will from now on play an important part in the TPA Team as a Partner in Bulgaria, and in this role he will strengthen the Legal Services business division. Furthermore, Valentin Savov is a “Highly regarded Tax Controversy Leader in Bulgaria”, according to “WTR – World Tax Review”. Since 2019 he is a Member of the International Fiscal Association Executive Committee. Thomas Haneder, TPA Partner and Member of the Management Team, said: “This partnership is a milestone for us. With Valentin Savov we gained a like-minded renowned top expert who is well-known in Bulgaria. It is a clear signal that our strong focus lies on high quality services. Having Valentin on board means that we strengthen our forces in Tax and Legal. Together we build great futures for our clients. Valentin Savov, S&P Partner, said: “We are very excited to join forces and expertise with such a reputable company as TPA. I am certain that our synergies will create great value and benefit to our clients.” TPA has been represented with great success since 2008 in Bulgaria and has managed to steadily expand its services. In addition to Bulgaria, the TPA Group is – with approximately 1,700 employees – active in 11 further countries in Central and South Eastern Europe: Austria, Albania, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Facts & Figures about TPA Bulgaria and Savov and Partners TPA is a leading tax advisory and audit company. Its range of services includes Tax Advisory, Audit, Advisory and Legal Services. In addition to Bulgaria, the TPA Group is – with approximately 1,700 employees – active in 11 further countries in Central and South Eastern Europe: Austria, Albania, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia. More information can be found on the following websites www.tpa-group.bg and www.tpa-group.com Savov and Partners is a fully-fledged law firm, recognized in international rankings among leaders in Bulgaria in the field of taxation, tax controversy, M&A and B&F. In the case of further inquiries please contact: Mag. (FH) Gerald Sinabell, Head of Corporate Communications Tel. +43 (1) 58835-428, gerald.sinabell@tpa-group.at Mag. Isabel Segrelles Vaello, MAS, Corporate Communications Tel. +43 (1) 58835-217, isabel.segrelles-vaello@tpa-group.at
-
Newsletter 7/2020
With a Decree dated 30.03.2020 the Bulgarian Government determined the procedure for payment of compensations to the employers with the aim of retention of the employees jobs during the State of Emergency announced on the 13.03.2020. Employers which have suspended partially or in full the business activity of their enterprises as result of an order of a Governmental body or on the ground of issued internal order are allowed to compensations. Employers who can also qualify for compensations are those who suspended the activity of certain employees or workers (e.g. particular department or production lines), as well as , those who implemented reduced working time for the enterprise based on an internal order of the management. The compensation shall be available for the employers for the period of the validity of the State of Emergency, but for not more than 3 months. The compensations shall be equal to 60% of the social security base of each employee for January 2020 for whom the above stated suspension measures have been applied. In case of implemented reduced working time the compensation shall be due proportionally for the non-working time, but for not more than 4 hours per day. An employer who benefits from the compensations shall be obliged to retain the employment relations with the employee for an additional period which is equal to the period for which the compensation has been paid. Employers who apply for compensations shall comply with the following:
- They are local legal entities, local individuals or foreign legal entities performing activity in Bulgaria trough permanent establishment.
- They are allowed to apply for compensation only for the economical business sectors stated in an appendix to the Decree
- They don’t have due payables for taxes, social security contributions or payables for Municipality taxes and fees which have been established and documented by the competent body.
- They are not declared in insolvency, in a procedure of insolvency or liquidation.
- They will retain the employment relations with the employees for an additional period which is equal to the period for which the compensation has been paid
- They won’t terminate any labor contracts of their employees on the ground of provisions of the Labor Code related to decreased volume of work, partial closing of the business or temporary suspension of the work for more than15 days.
- They don’t have established or entered in force acts for violations of the certain provisions of the Labor Code and the Labor Migration and Labor Mobility Act for a period of 6 months before the order for suspension of the business activity.
- Not less than 20% for the month preceding the month of filing of the application for compensation, compared to the same month of 2019 – for entities established before 01.03.2019
- Not less than 20% for the month preceding the month of filing of the application for compensation, compared to the averaged incomes from sales for January and February 2020 – for entities established after 01.03.2019
-
Newsletter 6/2020
Adopted measures in Bulgaria under the Bill on the Measures and Actions during the State of Emergency announced by the Bulgarian National Assembly on 13.03.2020 I. Below is a list of the most significant measures related to the prevention of the spreading of COVID-19 on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. The Bill on the Measures and Actions during the State of Emergency announced by the Bulgarian National Assembly on 13.03.2020 (the “Bill”) was adopted in its final version at an extraordinary meeting of the National Assembly which took place on 23.03.2020 and was promulgated in the Bulgarian State Gazette on 24.03.2020. The Bill enters into force as of 13.03.2020 with the exclusion of several provisions entering into force as of 24.03.2020 (e.g. considering seizure of forcible execution proceedings, penalty proceedings, measures as per the tax legislation – please see section III below, customs legislation). II. The adopted most significant measures and actions during the State of Emergency in Bulgaria as per the Bill are:
- Measures to be implemented by employers in case of State of Emergency:
- The employers are entitled upon an employer’s order to stop the work at the company’s premises entirely or partially and to send the employees to work from home without the employee’s consent. In this case only the place of work is changed, all other terms and conditions of the employment contract shall remain the same;
- The employer shall be entitled to oblige the employee to use up to one half of his/her annual paid leave without the employee’s consent;
- Upon an order of the employer a reduced working time for employees employed on a full-time basis could be implemented for the duration of the State of Emergency of for a part of this term;
- The employer is obliged to release in paid/unpaid leave after request of the employee some specific categories of employees (e.g. pregnant women, mother of a child under 12 years of age, employees with disability 50% or over 50%, employees under 18 years of age);
- The time of use of paid or unpaid leave due to the state of emergency shall be considered as a work experience;
- The employer is entitled to close the working premises or part of the working premises without ordering the employees to use half of their paid annual leave – in this case the employer must pay full remuneration for the days during which the premises are closed. This does not affect the labor law relationship with the employees;
- Тhe employees are also entitled to receive their full remuneration If the work premises have been closed due to State of Emergency upon an order of the competent state authorities;
- For the duration of the Bill but for not more than 3 months the National Insurance Institute shall transfer onto the bank account of employers 60% of the insurance profit for January 2020 of their employees.
- Procedural measures. Seizure of terms. Payment of debts.
- Any pending judicial terms under civil, commercial, forcible execution and administrative court cases shall be seized for the duration of the State of Emergency. The above requirement is not applicable towards criminal court cases;
- Any statutory terms which lead to termination or to arising of rights of private individuals shall be seized for the duration of the State of Emergency;
- Injunctions are not imposed over bank accounts of natural persons and medical centers, over employment remunerations and pensions except for the cases when this is necessary for repayment of debt arising out of maintenance obligation, tort or employment relationship;
- The notary certifications and notary proceedings shall be limited only to the urgent cases for notary certification. The Bulgarian Notary Chamber shall ensure that there is one notary per 50 000 citizens to take over the urgent cases;
- The term of validity of the identification cards and driving licenses of Bulgarian citizens as the term of validity of residence permits of foreigners allowing them to reside permanently in Bulgaria which expires in the period 13.03.2020 – 31.10.2020 shall be extended with 6 months;
- For the duration of the State of Emergency the consequences of the late payment including penalty and default interest, advanced chargeability, cancellation of a contract shall not be applied.
- With regard to taxes and tax related procedures the following most important measures have been proposed:
- The term for filing of Corporate Tax Return, payment of Corporate Income Tax (CIT) and tax on expenses for 2019 shall be extended from 31.03.2020 to 30.06.2020.
- Advance payment of CIT due for 2020 for the period January – June 2020:
- Based on the estimated and declared advance tax for 2020 - provided the CIT return has been filed prior to the entering into force of this Bill.
- Based on the estimated and declared advance tax for 2020 – provided the CIT return is filed till 15.04.2020
- Based on the estimated and declared advance tax for 2020 with the section of advance tax completed only – provided the CIT return will be filed after 15.04.2020
- The term for filing of yearly financial statements shall be extended to 30.09.2020.
- The tax on real estate and tax on vehicles for 2020 shall be reduced with 5% if paid in full by 30.06.2020.
- The Personal Income Tax return of individuals, as well as, individuals performing commercial activity as Sole proprietorship and agriculture producers shall be extended to 30.06.2020
- For the period of the State of Emergency the absolute limitation term for collection of public liabilities of 10 years shall not be applicable.
- For the period of the State of Emergency the limitation of 1 year for completion of already started procedures of assessment of public liabilities shall not be applicable
- For the period of the State of Emergency” executive proceedings under the Tax Insurance Procedure Code shall not be initiated.
- Enforced collection of public liabilities shall be put on hold.Newsletter_Emergency measures
-
Newsletter 8/2020
-
2018
-
Newsletter 5/2018
If you are like most entrepreneurs, then you are always looking for new effective solutions and strategies which strive to deliver tangible results in your business development. We can show you how to maximize your results through your own resources and capacity! You have accumulated data! Are you using this treasury to the full potential? Does your organization base the strategic decision upon it? Your historical data can dramatically change the way you do your business. Explore it, find new patterns and relations. But from where to start… We offer a solution to this question – a new way to look at the data… as an opportunity to optimize your business process, increase operational efficiency, cut the costs, earn revenue and gain competitive advantage. Data driven decisions lead to better and more informed decisions and the better decisions… they lead to better results. Please review below and see how:
-
Newsletter 4/2018
Foreseen pro-active obligations of the Bulgarian companies with respect to the provisions of the new Measures against Money Laundering Act (MMLA):
- Announcement of the ultimate beneficial owner with the Bulgarian Commercial register/Bulstat register
- Legislative amendments with respect to the announcement of the ultimate beneficial owners before the Commercial register and the Bulstat register
- Penalties for noncompliance with the obligation for announcement of the ultimate beneficial owners of a company with the Commercial register/Bulstat register
-
Newsletter 3/2018
The year 2018 brings extensive changes in the areas of taxes, duties and social contributions in Central and South Eastern Europe. TPA offers an overview of the most important tax innovations in the following CEE and SEE countries in which we operate:
Always up-to-date with the current tax rates from 11 CEE/SEE countries. Order your free 'Investing in CEE/SEE'- collection of all 11 countries via post online.
-
Newsletter 5/2018
-
2017
-
Newsletter 2/2017
The year 2017 brings extensive changes in the areas of taxes, duties and social contributions in Central and South Eastern Europe.
TPA offers an overview of the most important tax innovations in the following CEE and SEE countries in which we operate:
Always up-to-date with the current tax rates from 11 CEE/SEE countries. Order your free 'Investing in CEE/SEE'- collection of all 11 countries via post online.
-
Newsletter 2/2017