Russia’s State Duma has approved a bill that temporarily exempts self‑employed and small food‑and‑dining businesses from value‑added tax until the end of 2026. The measure rolls back part of a January reform that raised the standard VAT rate to 22% and lowered the income threshold for small businesses. The bill is pending presidential signature and aims to prevent business closures amid wartime economic pressures.
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AKM · about 14 hours ago
Russia's President Vladimir Putin has approved a new experiment allowing importers to defer VAT payments for up to three months from the release of goods. Eligible companies must be registered as authorized economic operators or backbone companies, apply a general taxation regime, and have no arrears or legal proceedings. The decree sets specific eligibility criteria and a 3‑month deferral window.
Meduza · 2 days ago
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree launching a pilot program that allows importers to defer VAT payments by up to three months, interest‑free. The program applies only to goods imported from outside the Eurasian Economic Union and is available to companies meeting specific eligibility criteria. It will run until June 30, 2027.
CoinSpot · 16 days ago
Russia is proposing to exempt crypto exchanges and custodial services from VAT, with the bill expected to be adopted by July 1 2026. The exemption covers digital rights confirming exclusively monetary claims but does not apply to profits, which will still be taxed under standard rules. Ordinary users will face a purchase limit of $3,700 per year and can only buy the largest coins listed by the Central Bank.
CryptoPolitan · 17 days ago
Russia is drafting a law that will exempt cryptocurrency exchange and custody services from VAT, while subjecting their profits to standard corporate tax. The bill also introduces new personal tax rules for crypto traders, limits retail purchases to $3,700 per year, and requires Russian residents to report foreign‑based crypto wallets to the Federal Tax Service.
Cryptopolitan · 17 days ago
Russia will exempt cryptocurrency exchange and custody services from value‑added tax, covering ancillary services related to issuance and trading of digital currencies. The bill, expected to be adopted by July 1 2026, also sets corporate tax rules for platform profits and allows traders to offset acquisition costs against income, though losses cannot be carried forward.
Bloomberg Tax · 2 months ago
The Russian Federal Tax Service announced that the filing deadline for Q1 2026 VAT returns is April 27, 2026. Taxpayers must use a new form that reflects a VAT rate increase to 22% from 20%, along with other changes.
Self‑employed and small businesses in the food and dining sectors that use simplified or patent tax systems and meet specified revenue and employment criteria.
The exemption is valid until the end of 2026.
The standard VAT rate was raised to 22% in January 2026.
It aims to ease wartime tax burden and prevent business closures in the food industry.
It has passed the State Duma, is pending signature by President Putin, and will become law once signed.
This summary was published on VATfaqs.com on 14 April 2026. It relates to VAT developments in Russia. The original source is The Moscow Times.
