The Russian government decided to reduce expenses instead of raising taxes

The Russian government preferred a reduction in budget expenditures in 2015 to increase the tax burden. This was told by Deputy Minister of Finance of the Russian Federation Sergey Shatalov in an interview with the newspaper Vedomosti.

“Apparently, it will have to be reduced. It is painful, but better than playing with taxes. In conditions of economic uncertainty, it is extremely important to maintain an island of stability and confidence. Today, it is extremely difficult for private business to make investment decisions due to foreign exchange, political and other numerous risks. If tax risks are also added to them, business activity may come to naught, because investment projects are usually designed for many years, ”he explained.

According to Shatalov, this year the authorities do not intend to increase taxes: “The message of the president gives, if not absolute confidence, then the firm hope that the current tax legislation will not be reviewed in the coming years: there will be no new fiscal initiatives, and now current taxes will remain within the framework of the already adopted legislation. The government will confirm the course to maintain stability and predictability of the tax system. ”

“Of course, certain risks remain, but in order for them to be realized, some very serious shocks must occur. The general economic situation is worried, but God forbid, we will do without a deep crisis. Otherwise, strategic decisions are also possible, ”the representative of the Ministry of Finance emphasized.

Shatalov did not specify under what circumstances the authorities can make “strategic decisions”. Speaking about the new sources of risks for tax revenues in 2015, the deputy minister noted: “It is difficult to predict how the income tax will behave. Problems with personal income tax are possible. "

In mid -December 2014, it became known that in 2015 the government decided to reduce budget expenditures by 10%. At the end of December, the head of the Ministry of Finance Anton Siluanov noted that the authorities will have to reduce expenses further; He also indicated that 500 billion rubles from the reserve fund intended to stabilize the economic situation, the government may not be enough.