New Decree on the Establishment of the Program of Direct Benefits

The new Decree on establishing the Program of direct benefits from the budget of the Republic of Serbia to economic entities in the private sector in order to mitigate the economic consequences caused by the epidemic of Covid-19 disease caused by the SARS-COV-2 virus entered into force on February 13th 2021.

The Regulation does not stipulate fiscal benefits that were provided for in the previous Regulation (deferral of payment of obligations based on taxes and contributions).

DIRECT BENEFITS

A basic overview of the provisions of the decree is listed below:

  • Payment of direct benefits will be made in April, May and June based on PPP-PD applications for February, March and April 2021. The first payment is expected to take place on April 8.
  • the amount of direct benefits per employee is half of the basic minimum net salary for January 2021 (RSD 15,450.12), with the amount of direct benefits being the same for all economic entities of all sizes
  • Funds received on the basis of direct payments can be used no later than July 30, 2021
  • acceptance of direct benefits is done by giving a statement on the ePorezi portal, especially for each payment of direct benefits, until the last day of the month preceding the month in which the payment of direct benefits is made. Statements will be made in accordance with the explanation that will be published on the website of the Tax Administration
  • economic entity that has bank accounts with several banks no later than March 25, 2021 submits data via the ePorezi portal on the bank where a dedicated account will be opened
  • an economic entity that applies for direct benefits is not entitled to pay dividends in the period from the date of entry into force of the Regulation until the end of 2021
  • If the legal entity is temporarily deprived of PIB on the last day of the month preceding the month in which the direct benefits are paid, it is not entitled to direct benefits
  • Loss of the right to use direct benefits occurs in case of reduction of the number of employees by more than 10%