How will the “tax for the self-employed" end for the Russians?
Following the increase in VAT and pension initiatives negatively perceived by society, the authorities are discussing yet another unpopular measure: the self-employed tax. Former Deputy Minister of Labor and Employment Pavel Kudyukin, now a member of the Council of the Confederation of Labor, in an interview with the Free Press, criticized such an initiative.
Authorities, he said, cite a budget deficit. However, it was laid on the basis of the price of $ 40 per barrel of oil. The current price is over $ 70. Thus, the budget is in surplus. True, all additional income is postponed "for a rainy day." However, when unpopular measures explain the budget deficit - this is not true.
As for the self-employed, their income level varies. There are those who can barely make ends meet. For them, self-employment is a way to survive. There are those who are close to the middle class, but they are a minority. Most barely have enough for a living.
The government claims that the self-employed do not pay taxes and give nothing to society. In fact, they pay. This is both VAT and real estate tax (if any), and others. Moreover, these people themselves do not expect anything from the state, do not rely on a retirement pension, and use mostly paid medicine.
Officials say the self-employment tax will be small - 3%. But people do not trust the state: now it promises a small tax, but if it is legalized, the rates will begin to rise.
Kudyukin noted that, for example, in the Scandinavian countries people do not evade taxes because there are positive incentives. Citizens clearly know what they will receive in return - a high level of security, social benefits, a high level of education and medicine. In Russia, there is no understanding of what these funds will go for - "they will still plunder."
There is also a negative incentive - the fear of being caught. However, the self-employed hope that because of their mass character they will be punished selectively, in some cases - after all, we are talking about tens of millions of people. To do this, increase the staff of supervisors. You can oblige banks to report on people's incomes - but even here additional costs are needed. Hoping for “vigilant neighbors” is also not necessary because of our mentality. As for the patent system, for many self-employed, the proposed rate of 20 rubles is unbearable. The Belarusian experience in introducing such taxes shows that the population is extremely negative about this idea. And protest moods are growing in Russian society.
Authorities, he said, cite a budget deficit. However, it was laid on the basis of the price of $ 40 per barrel of oil. The current price is over $ 70. Thus, the budget is in surplus. True, all additional income is postponed "for a rainy day." However, when unpopular measures explain the budget deficit - this is not true.
As for the self-employed, their income level varies. There are those who can barely make ends meet. For them, self-employment is a way to survive. There are those who are close to the middle class, but they are a minority. Most barely have enough for a living.
The government claims that the self-employed do not pay taxes and give nothing to society. In fact, they pay. This is both VAT and real estate tax (if any), and others. Moreover, these people themselves do not expect anything from the state, do not rely on a retirement pension, and use mostly paid medicine.
Officials say the self-employment tax will be small - 3%. But people do not trust the state: now it promises a small tax, but if it is legalized, the rates will begin to rise.
Kudyukin noted that, for example, in the Scandinavian countries people do not evade taxes because there are positive incentives. Citizens clearly know what they will receive in return - a high level of security, social benefits, a high level of education and medicine. In Russia, there is no understanding of what these funds will go for - "they will still plunder."
There is also a negative incentive - the fear of being caught. However, the self-employed hope that because of their mass character they will be punished selectively, in some cases - after all, we are talking about tens of millions of people. To do this, increase the staff of supervisors. You can oblige banks to report on people's incomes - but even here additional costs are needed. Hoping for “vigilant neighbors” is also not necessary because of our mentality. As for the patent system, for many self-employed, the proposed rate of 20 rubles is unbearable. The Belarusian experience in introducing such taxes shows that the population is extremely negative about this idea. And protest moods are growing in Russian society.
Information