Analytics and brochures

The Russian Government has approved a list of VAT-exempt materials for scientific research which do not have Russian substitutes. The list includes 180 items (Resolution No. 469 dated 15 May 2015).

On 3 May, the Russian President signed Federal Law No. 113-FZ. This law establishes that a tax agent is obliged to provide quarterly estimates of personal income tax amounts which it has calculated and withheld, to tax authorities. If it fails to provide such estimates, a penalty is imposed on it and its bank accounts are blocked.

On 8 March, the Russian President signed the federal law “On amending the second part of the Russian Tax Code”. It clarifies the rules for accounting for income (expenses) from transactions with debt instruments.

An amended draft law has been put before the State Duma which makes the term “controlled indebtedness” more specific when interest under debt obligations is included in expenses (the “thin capitalisation” rules). 

On 29 December, President Vladimir Putin signed a number of laws, including Federal Law No. 473-FZ "On territories of advanced social and economic development in the Russian Federation" established a legal regime for Russian territories, measures of state support, including significant tax benefits, and the procedures according to which business is done in such territories; and Federal Law No. 458-FZ "On amending the Federal Law 'On production and consumption waste', certain items of the legislation of the Russian Federation and on repealing certain items of legislation (provisions of items of legislation) of the Russian Federation". The law introduced responsibility for manufacturers and importers for waste generated from their products. Companies must keep up with the standards for waste disposal. Those who fail to observe the requirements will have to pay environmental fees to the state budget.

The Russian President has signed amendments to the Russian Tax Code (Federal Law No. 382-FZ dated 29 November 2014), according to which Moscow, St Petersburg and Sevastopol may introduce a sales tax from 1 July 2015. The rate of the sales tax will be set by the cities themselves depending on the sales outlet or its area. Taxpayers will be able to deduct the sales tax from the profit tax they pay.