In addition, their validity period will be limited. Such changes provide for draft amendments to the Law on food stamps, which were approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
Thus, it is proposed to limit the validity period of food stamps to six months. The countdown will be carried out from the moment of crediting the funds to the payment instrument of the employee. According to the proposal of the developers, such a threshold will ensure the use of vouchers for their intended purpose – to support regular meals for employees. And it would prevent the accumulation of funds in the accounts, which is currently observed.
At the same time, the coupons would be able to be used not only physically, but also for online food purchases. This will expand their use for staff and simplify the process. Food stamp funds will need to be held in special accounts.
Another change concerns the use of food stamps by employees with mixed work schedules who combine day and night shifts. Employers will not have to choose between the ability to issue food stamps and monetary reimbursement of meal expenses. As a reminder, these costs can now be deducted by employers for tax purposes.
According to the draft, they will be allowed to apply both options of state support. The innovation will eliminate the existing inequality, which has been pointed out by business for several years. However, the authorities do not plan to increase the cost of a meal ticket yet. It remains at the level of 35-70 lei. At the same time, the business reminds that according to the law, the price should be adjusted within the inflation rate.
In general, these changes will increase the flexibility and efficiency of the normative framework in this field. And they will bring it closer to the realities of today, adapting the system to digital technologies.
Operators who issue food stamps will be obliged to provide the STS with information on the issued stamps.
