Gabriel Biriș on Taxation, Integrity and Professional Development
On November 26, the students of the School of Finance and Banking had the opportunity to meet Gabriel Biriș, one of Romania’s most respected tax experts and a graduate of the School of Law at the Romanian-American University.
Invited as part of the Meet the Graduate program, Gabriel Biriș delivered an engaging and substantial discussion, blending professional principles, practical experience, and career advice drawn from three decades of work in the field of taxation.
“It’s easy to perform well when you do what you love”
From the very beginning, Biriș encouraged students to pursue the field that truly inspires them, emphasizing that performance and professional fulfillment naturally follow when one’s work aligns with personal passion. In this context, he shared his own experience as a law student at the Romanian-American University, where he began working for a consulting firm—laying the foundation of a solid career from his university years.
On taxation: between inequities, solutions, and civic responsibility
During the conversation, Biriș spoke openly about the challenges of the Romanian tax system: the high number of taxes, social inequity, and the low collection rate. He highlighted the need to reduce tax exemptions—calling them “a cancer” of the system—and emphasized the importance of solidarity in the functioning of a modern society:
|“Why do we pay taxes? To contribute to the proper functioning of society, in line with our income.”
He explained the differences between the flat tax and the progressive tax, noting that the adoption of the flat tax in 2004 was made possible by the courage to speak openly and the dialogue that existed at the policy-making level at that time. He also stressed that the tax burden should depend on how much we earn, not how we earn.
Biriș also introduced students to modern perspectives on tax compliance, the VAT policy gap, the importance of data provided by the National Institute of Statistics, and the role of self-consumption in assessing budget revenues.
Critical thinking – the foundation of a true professional
A central theme of the discussion was the role of critical thinking in shaping competent professionals. Biriș emphasized that critical thinking cannot exist without a solid foundation, constant study, and a deep understanding of one’s field. Encouraging students to read widely—including opposing viewpoints—and to develop well-reasoned perspectives, he advised:
|“Don’t be afraid to express your point of view—just make sure it’s well-argued.”
|“It’s important to know what you’re saying, especially when you have something critical to express.”
On career: hard work, seriousness, and networking
As the author of several reference works on tax policy and the leader of a practice rated as having “three Michelin stars” in tax advisory, Gabriel Biriș shared career lessons accumulated over 30 years of activity: the importance of seriousness, meeting deadlines, caring for clients, and building a network early on—starting in university.
Recommendations, he pointed out, remain one of the most valuable tools in professional growth, both in recruitment and in attracting new clients.
The meeting concluded with a simple yet powerful message to the students:
|“Trust yourselves. If you want it, you can do it.”
About Gabriel Biriș
Gabriel Biriș is the co-founder of the law firm Biriș Goran and is regarded as one of the most prominent tax experts in Romania. With over 30 years of experience in Romanian tax matters, he has advised numerous clients on complex tax litigation, compliance, and structuring. He is well known in the media for advocating tax reform and for his continuous involvement in improving the business environment.
Between December 2015 and September 2016, he served as Secretary of State within the Ministry of Finance, overseeing tax legislation. He represented Romania at the First Inclusive Framework of the OECD Anti-BEPS Plan in Kyoto in 2016 and promoted a modern VAT model based on reverse charge at the level of the European Commission.
He has represented Biriș Goran in the European Commission’s VAT Expert Group (TAXUD) for the 2022–2025 mandate, being the only Romanian accepted into the VEG. He is actively involved in Ready Nation Ro, an organization that promotes public policies for early childhood education, and is the founder of The Tax Institute, through which he aims to support the adoption of tax policies based on impact studies, both prior to and after implementation.”
Biriș is the author of “Despre Fiscalitate și Competitivitate” and “Despre Fiscalitate și Bun Simț” (2012), and co-author of “Controverse în fiscalitate” (2011). For the past fifteen editions of Chambers Europe, he has been classified as “Highly Recommended” in the area of Tax Law.
Gabriel Biriș is a graduate of the School of Law of the Romanian-American University, class of 2000.
Short bio: https://birisgoran.ro/team/gabriel-biris/
LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriel-biri%C8%99-b1803111/
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