Does fiscal devaluation help Russian economy?

Direct taxes are offered to decrease by means of indirect taxes increase

The Ministry of Finance has repeatedly addressed the issuue of the fiscal devaluation in 2016. New proposals for the tax system are focused on decrease in direct taxes and fees, first of all, social taxes and increase in indirect taxes – VAT and excise duties.

The fiscal devaluation is decrease in direct taxes that have impact on the production cost (insurance payments for emloyees, profit tax), by increasing of the final consumption taxes, set in the form of markup to price or tariff rate such as VAT (such taxes are called indirect). In general, the indirect taxation growth is a tool for achievement of two goals of the fiscal devaluation.

"Chasing two rabbits". First of all, the fiscal devaluation is aimed at supporting of exporters through restructuring of the tax burden in economy – export tax rates are decreasing, final consumption taxes are increasing. In international markets goods are becoming cheaper, export profitability is growing, at the same time import attraction is decreasing. Secondly, with the help of the fiscal devaluation the problem of economy with increased general tax burden can be solved. The Ministry of Finance is going to solve the problem of low competitivity of non-traditional for ¬¬the Russian economy exporter groups as well as the problem of high rate of direct taxes, primarily social fees paid by an employer, through increase in VAT. Burden on the payroll budget in Russia is currently too high and it obviously needs to be decreased. However, its decrease means reduction of budget revenue. That reduction can be compensated with indirect taxes, VAT primarily. There is no solution yet on VAT increase. The Ministry of Finance launches different initiatives, including impose of indirect tax burden on «luxurious consumption», that made by small population group and harmful products consumption (sugar contained drinks, palm oil).

Under the spotlight. The minister of Finance Anton Siluanov pays attention to one more distinct advantage that can be achieved with fiscal devaluation. According to Mr Siluanov, decrease in direct taxation by means of indirect taxation increase will help to find a wayout for grey economy for those who avoid paying taxes. Levelling of the balance between VAT and insurance payments will be profitable not only for business but also for employable population, because it will decrease tax burden on salaries.

An effective tool. Shift of tax burden from economical resources to consumption is a worldwide trend that motivates active usage of capital and labour. Besides, it is worth mentioning that the tax system is extremely sensitive, and any changes should be thought over. Latest claims of Anton Siluanov let us make a conclusion that the Ministry of Finance is not going to abandon the fiscal devaluation idea. However, it is not possible to realize the idea earlier than in 2018, otherwise it will be contrary to the moratorium on increase of business tax burden before the mentioned terms, imposed by Vladimir Putin. The head of state announced discussion for the tax system of the RF on 2017, based on the results possibilities of the system adjustment for long-term perspective will be defined. Increase of indirect taxation is long-term strategy issue that can be developed with the help of time and cooperation of several ministries. Only complex solution based on results of that cooperation could be an effective tool of the economic growth.