'MRF– New Beginning' Proposes Measures Against Illegal Fuel Market Aimed to Boost Fuel Tax Revenues

The parliamentary group of “MRF– New Beginning” has proposed legislative measures aimed at closing loopholes and generating additional state budget revenue from excise duties and taxes on oil and petroleum products, the party’s press centre announced on December 9.

The bill responds to recently published data showing budget losses of nearly BGN 600 million in 2024 alone due to unpaid excise duties and taxes from the illegal fuel market.

Under the proposal, a special law would require the creation of a dedicated regulation within one month, obliging vehicles transporting oil and petroleum products to be equipped with operational and functioning positioning and tracking devices (GPS).

This measure would make it possible to track the volumes of fuel delivered to refuelling points. Monitoring would be enhanced through specialised software integrated into the electronic toll collection system and dedicated measurement instruments for tank capacity, provided and installed by the Customs Agency.

The measure will enable the Customs Agency to track the spatial movements of these vehicles and monitor their loading and unloading points, generating substantial additional revenue for the treasury from excise duties and taxes that have so far gone uncollected, according to a recent analysis.

'MRF–New Beginning' emphasises that the proposal imposes no financial or administrative burden on businesses, as the required devices could be installed at the state’s expense, with projected revenue far exceeding the initial investment.