Important information: BULSTAT widens reach

Article by the Business Department of Sofia Echo, August 2005

NEW categories of persons and entities required to obtain a BULSTAT registration, a tracking designation sponsored by the National Statistical Institute (NSI) for those with business interests in the country, were added on August 11.
Justice Minister Anton Stankov, NSI chief Alexander Hadjiiski and Registry Agency officials discussed at a press conference the changes from the new BULSTAT Register Act which went into effect on that date.
The new categories cover foreign groups and foreign businesses operating in Bulgaria, as well as foreign legal entities whose head offices are located or own real estate in the country and are not registered in Bulgaria by other means.
Foreign individuals are required to have BULSTAT registrations if they do not have a personal identification number provided by Bulgarian civil registers and who conduct business or provide independent personal services in the country. They are also required to register with a BULSTAT number if they do not have a personal identification number and own real estate in the country, or if they work as insurers and do not have a number.

The new act also requires BULSTAT registration for Bulgarian individuals practising “liberalised professions”, such as lawyers, notaries or chartered accountants.
The Act prescribes fines for those who fail to register with BULSTAT in due time.
Until the end of September, registration will still be carried out at NSI’s local offices. Later, it will be carried out at the Registry Agency. As of February 2006, BULSTAT registration will also be valid for tax registrations, replacing existing tax registration numbers.
The new BULSTAT card with a unified identification number will replace the tax registration number, the social security number and the customs registration number, according to Stankov.
Those that have not registered with BULSTAT have until November 11 to do so, Registry head Svetlozar Tonev said. Existing BULSTAT registrations will be maintained as none of them are limited by any set terms.
Those employed under a labour contract and have a second job only have to declare their incomes at the end of the year but are not obliged to have a BULSTAT registration.

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