The tax policy of the Russian Federation is an element of financial policy. It includes organizational economic measures and legal norms that have a regulatory character. These norms and measures are adopted and implemented by state authorities (at the regional and federal levels), as well as territorial government bodies.
The tax policy of the Russian Federation pursues several goals. Among them it should be noted:
- Ensuring full-fledged revenue generation of the state budget structure. These revenues are necessary for financing state authorities and territorial self-government, which exercise the respective powers and functions.
- Ensuring social justice in the process of taxation of profits of individuals.
- Promoting sustainable economic development of priority activities and sectors of small business and individual areas.
The tax policy of the Russian Federation is formed and implemented at the regional, local and federal levels within the framework of the relevant competence. At the regional level, the structure of the regulatory impact is applicable to payments legally assigned to state entities, or within the framework of established rates for regulatory revenue sources.
The tax policy of 2012 was focused on supporting innovative enterprises, mainly in terms of payments to extrabudgetary funds of insurance contributions. It was proposed the introduction of a special period during which a transition to a rate of 34% by these enterprises would be made, and clear criteria for their identification would be developed. For this category, it was assumed that the rate would remain at 14% for a certain period. However, by 2020, innovative enterprises should reach a generally accepted rate of 34%. For the rest of the taxpayers it was proposed that the rate increase not to 34%, but to 32%. This figure was obtained due to a 2% reduction in payments for compulsory health insurance.
As measures of innovative support, it was proposed to complete the reform of the tax depreciation calculation system. It was proposed the formation of appropriate groups in accordance with the functional attribute, and not by objects, with a reduction in depreciation periods for certain types of fixed assets. This, in turn, should create incentives for technological renewal.
The tax policy of the Russian Federation provided for a reduction in the list of documents that are necessary when confirming the legitimacy of using a zero VAT rate with respect to exports. In the future, energy-efficient equipment will be exempted from property tax for three years. In addition, it is planned to launch a project on tax administration of innovative enterprises.
The tax policy of the Russian Federation at the present stage provides for special benefits for companies whose activities are related to science, education, healthcare (both commercial and non-profit), up to the adoption of a zero rate in relation to income tax. In the area of deductions for profit, it is planned to consider restrictions on accepting losses from reorganized enterprises during the merger of organizations. The adoption of new regulations on the allocation of interest related to debt obligations to expenses, as well as on the prevention of insufficient capitalization, is envisaged. In the area of excise taxes, indexation of excise rates for tobacco products, as well as the introduction of advances on deductions for alcoholic beverages, are expected.
The application of real estate tax is considered as a strategic goal. The project also includes amendments to the simplified tax system.