Russia has not ruled out increase in the tax burden

First Vice-President of "Russian Club CFO" Tamara Kasyanov
commented on the situation:

Recently, tax initiatives of the Russian authorities are becoming more frequent. At the same words with deeds - from the beginning of this year, in particular, has increased the tax burden on small business. The solution seems to be a fair and logical - at the expense of the authorities are trying to balance not small and medium /large business, and entrepreneurs with ordinary taxpayers. However, these changes have caused a lot of discontent in society. A statement of the authorities, to
including current - direct evidence that in the future tax burden may increase for
big business.

The new tax initiatives include: the luxury tax, refund of sales tax (EPT), the active preparation of property tax. The same can be and excise duties on alcohol and tobacco, which are growing rapidly, and planned growth of the excise tax on fuel.

Reasons for the high activity of the authorities in the field of tax law can name a few. For example, a large amount of budgetary commitments - huge social spending require the authorities to search for new tools replenishment. Also very high military spending, as rightly pointed Gref. Therefore, the authorities are trying to use any opportunity to generate additional revenue to the budget.

Another factor affecting the tax policy of the authorities, is commodity dependence of the Russian economy. Oil and gas revenues now provide half of the Russian budget. However, this flow may soon dry up.

As said the oil and gas industry, "the era of cheap energy" is coming to an end. The cost of production in Russia is increasing - easily accessible oil and gas fields are practically no, and the most promising area is the Arctic shelf, where production is several times more expensive than production in the mainland. In this case, only for the organization of production requires billions of dollars in investment. Therefore, oil and gas companies need tax breaks, otherwise they will not invest in high-risk and complex continental shelf projects. As a result, the volume of oil and gas in Russia in a few years will fall. In this situation, the authorities were in a difficult position - either to give tax breaks and reduced revenues, or do not give the benefits and revenues will fall to the fall in production.

Apparently authorities are looking for an alternative - raise taxes on other sectors of the economy. As long as taxes are mainly trying to improve the expense of consumers - this luxury tax, and excise taxes and the upcoming property tax. However, this resource is not limitless - taxes will be raised and for business. This is the affected individual entrepreneurs. A statement of the authorities indicate that this is not going to stop it. Obviously, there may be negative tax changes for big business.

But the problem is that such initiatives can exacerbate the Russian economy on the raw material component. Reduction in the capacity by increasing the tax burden for the effective development of the non-oil economy will lead to a reduction in investment in the sector, which has a negative impact on the Russian economy.

It is possible that in these circumstances it is necessary to look for alternative ways of development. For example, consider the possibility of reducing military expenditures, or increase the effectiveness of tax collection by strengthening financial controls. Need to consider any options that would allow at least maintain the current level of tax burden on business.