1. Reducing administrative burden in Bulgaria: Single Entry Point for Reporting Fiscal and Statistical Information Dr.Mariana Kotzeva President of National Statistical Institute Brussels, 22.10.2010, HLG of Independent Stakeholders on Administrative Burdens

2. Statistics – one 13 priority areas for administrative burden reduction The priority area Statistics accounts for a relatively small part of the total administrative cost in EU: 629m (0.5% of the total costs measured). However, statistics is an area of great concern for businesses, mainly due to the high perceived burden, the so-called irritation burden.

3. EU actions and targets for reducing AB in statistics Communication on the Reduction of Response Burden, simplification and Priority setting in the field of Community Statistics dated 14.11.2006; Community Statistical Program, 2008-2012; European Statistics Code of Practice – principle 9: The Reporting burden should be proportionate to the needs of users and should not be excessive for respondents. The statistical authority monitors the response burden and sets targets for its reduction over time. Action Program initially covered 6 pieces of legislation in Statistics and 5 additional legislative acts were included in early 2009.

4. Avenues for reducing AB in Statistics: Simplifying legislation and reporting requirements; Simplifying and facilitating data reporting via e- questionnaries; Finding smarter and more efficient ways of data collection through more efficient use of administrative sources and linking micro-data from different sources; Developing a respondent type oriented approach in data collection - SMEs and Large enterprises; Improvement of institutional co-operation and co-operation with business community especially for reducing irritation burden;

5. Single Entry Point for Reporting Fiscal and Statistical Information Enterprises can submit their tax declarations and annual financial reports (SBS data): At one single moment 24 hours per day; Via web-based application form or by paper; To one single point -(common entry point of NSI and Tax Administration); Can access their reports already submitted at any time; Data can be submitted by the enterprise of by chartered accountants dully authorized on behalf of enterprise (especially important for SMEs)

6. How the Single Entry point Works? Enterprise data submissionValidation process if the result is positive data are entered in primary data store data editing by NSI based on direct contact with enterprises data warehouse multipurpose use by Tax agency and NSI;

7. The steps of building the Single Entry point: To define the scope and content of data that have to be submitted; To ensure that definitions and concepts used in the reports are identical for both Tax agency and NSI; To introduce amendments in the legal acts related to the fiscal and statistical obligations of business; To build up the concept of SBS data warehouse ensuring the common use of data that fits the specific purposes of each institution; To build up the procedure of identification of the enterprise submitting data based on electronic signature;

8. The steps of building the Single Entry point: To develop the web-based application that uses free of charge standard web- browsers and programs without the need of installation of any paid software by enterprises; To build up the necessary ICT infrastructure and quality of internet access that guaranties work under high pressure (many users in the same time enter the system); To guarantee data protection by encrypting the connection between the users PC and the servers of the system;

9. The steps of building the Single Entry point: To ensure that the system can be upgraded and modified at any time when the data requirements are changed or simplified; Can be easily integrated with the existing IT systems in NSI and Tax administration; To organize public awareness campaign and training sessions for accountants and business associations To promote electronic data submission instead of paper based one;

10. Advantages of Single Entry Point Saves time and resources of enterprises; Increases quality and timeliness of statistical data – the time for SBS data production will be reduced from t+11 months to t+7 months in 2011; Reduces non-response Reduces irritation (perceived) burden!!!

11. Other measures for reducing AB in statistics: Lowering covering rates for Intrastat and other reporting obligations; better use of ICT is the main tool for lowering the burden; harmonising different measures and classifications used in certain statistics; To provide statistical vacations for the SMEs

12. It is essential to ensuring that enterprises feel the impact of the reduction efforts. All requests for statistical information include a short to the-point explanation of why the information is important and include an option for enterprises to receive feedback on the result of the surveys. An attempt is made to introduce Customer Relationship Management (CRM) in relations with our respondents.

13. Thank you for your attention!