VAT for SRL in 2026: RON 395,000 threshold, ANAF registration, 21% rate & cash VAT

Lexter’s blog covers SRL incorporation, post-certificate steps (SPV, e-Factura), 1% micro vs 16% profit, director remuneration, and ONRC amendments. VAT is mentioned briefly, but searches for “when to become VAT payer”, “395,000 RON threshold”, “cash VAT 2026”, and “Form 010 ANAF” remain among the most frequent after early trading months — without a dedicated guide.

This article covers five dominant topics: (1) the RON 395,000 exemption threshold, (2) mandatory vs voluntary registration, (3) the 21% standard rate and invoicing, (4) optional cash VAT (RON 5M ceiling in 2026), (5) periodic Forms 300 and 394. Data updated as of July 2026.

From 1 September 2025, the VAT registration exemption threshold rose from RON 300,000 to RON 395,000 cumulative annual turnover (calendar year). The rule is identical for SRL and PFA.

Breaches are checked on turnover cumulated from 1 January — you do not wait until year-end. The invoice pushing total turnover above RON 395,000 triggers the obligation: normal VAT applies from that transaction, and that invoice must include VAT (21% standard rate if the supply is taxable).

Example: if you issued RON 393,000 by June and invoice RON 8,000 in July, total RON 401,000 exceeds the threshold — the RON 8,000 (or corresponding tax base) is subject to VAT, and registration starts immediately.

Mandatory registration: when exceeding the threshold or for specific operations (intra-community acquisitions, certain imports, etc.). File Form 010 (tax registration / mentions) or update the tax vector via Form 700 in SPV with qualified e-signature. ANAF issues the VAT registration certificate within up to 5 days of application.

Voluntary registration: you may opt as VAT payer below the threshold if you have B2B clients who deduct VAT and purchases with deductible VAT (equipment, services). Useful for capital-heavy startups; downside: higher prices for individuals or non-VAT clients.

Non-VAT payer: invoices exclude VAT (statement on invoice); no input VAT deduction; e-Factura remains mandatory for B2B/B2C under general rules. See our post-incorporation guide for RO e-Factura.

From 1 August 2025, the standard VAT rate in Romania is 21% (vs 19% previously). It applies to most taxable goods and services. Reduced rates — 9% and 5% — apply to specific categories under the Tax Code (food, medicines, social housing, etc.); verify classification of your products/services.

VAT payers collect VAT from clients and remit to ANAF via periodic returns, deducting VAT paid on purchases (input VAT). VAT is normally not a company cost if you have deductible expenses — you pay the difference (output minus input VAT).

Invoices are issued through RO e-Factura within 5 working days of issue. Correct mentions: CUI, VAT code (RO + CUI), applied rate, taxable base, VAT amount.

Cash VAT defers VAT exigibility until client payment and input VAT deduction until supplier payment — useful for cash flow when clients pay slowly.

From 1 March 2026 (Emergency Ordinance 8/2026), the cash VAT ceiling is RON 5,000,000 turnover (1 March – 31 December 2026); from 1 January 2027 it rises to RON 5,500,000. You must already be VAT registered and not fall in excluded categories (e.g. certain intra-community operations).

Entry: notification via Form 010/700 by the 20th of the month before the application period. Mandatory exit if ceiling exceeded — notification by the 20th of the month following the breach period. Voluntary exit: between the 1st and 20th of any month. Invoices must explicitly state cash VAT applies.

VAT payers file the VAT return (Form 300): monthly if turnover exceeds EUR 100,000/year equivalent, quarterly if below — verify exact rule with your accountant for your situation.

Form 394 (domestic supplies/acquisitions) is filed monthly or quarterly, aligned with return periodicity. SAF-T may be mandatory depending on company size.

VAT is paid with Form 300 filing for the reported period. Late filing or payment penalties apply — SPV fiscal calendar is essential. The 1% micro regime (income tax) and VAT are independent: you can be micro and VAT payer simultaneously if you exceed the VAT exemption threshold.

Follow steps based on company stage:

Lexter helps with SRL incorporation and ONRC documents — it does not file Form 010, calculate VAT returns, or register you as a VAT payer.

After the certificate, track the RON 395,000 threshold with your accountant; on breach or voluntary registration, ANAF procedure is separate from Lexter’s incorporation dossier.

Informational guide as of July 2026. Tax Code, Emergency Ordinance 8/2026, and ANAF procedures change. Verify anaf.ro. Not tax or accounting advice.