In his conversation with socialbites.ca, Nikolai Arefiev, a member of the State Duma of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, positively evaluated the increase in income tax for the “rich” in Belarus from 13% to 25%. He believes that “Russia will not follow Lukashenko’s path” in this regard – “corruption and lawlessness are too great.”
“We had an idea to impose a progressive income tax on the rich. So not for wealth, but for income. Because they transfer wealth to relatives and affiliates, and this wealth is very difficult to find and tax. However, revenue is recognized through the banking system; It is easier to tax. The fact is that in Belarus there is more order, less corruption, and these problems are better solved there. And our government declares that there is no need to impose a progressive income tax, we just won’t collect it. Lukashenka collects everything there, but we say we cannot collect taxes. “Everything is possible with him, but nothing is possible with us,” Arefiev said.
He recalled that in May this year, deputies of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation submitted a bill to the State Duma with the aim of increasing the personal income tax rate to 30% for persons with income over 10 million rubles per year.
“HE [закон] 2 trillion 300 billion should be given to the budget. This amount varies: One year is productive, the other is not. In any case, the government can get about 2 trillion, especially since we have a precedent. Two years ago we increased the tax by 2 percent, and now the rich who earn more than 5 million rubles pay 15 percent, not 13 percent. So this year, 130 billion rubles are expected to be collected from this 2%. Good money? Good ones! So let’s not make it 30, let’s make it 20%. At least a little. Because there is no money in the budget. Funding for housing and communal services is now being reduced. We are receiving letters saying that utility tariffs will increase two to three times for the next year. Why are you robbing our poor people? Let’s get this money from here. They were won here in Russia and they have to work for Russia. So no, they don’t want it. Therefore, we will not follow Lukashenko’s path – we have too much corruption and lawlessness. With a progressive tax, this is quite possible,” said Arefiev.
On Wednesday, November 29, the Belarusian parliament adopted a law providing for an increase in income tax from 13% to 25% for citizens whose annual income exceeds 200 thousand Belarusian rubles (5.7 million Russian rubles at the current exchange rate).
This measure was taken “in order to confiscate the revenue received”. [гражданами] On a large scale.” According to Belarusian officials, the innovation will affect 8-9 thousand people.
In Russia, as of January 1, 2021, personal income tax (NDFL) rates for citizens with annual income exceeding 5 million rubles have been increased from 13% to 15%. In October 2023, the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation opposed further increases in personal income tax for wealthy citizens, citing the risk of reducing savings in the economy.
Formerly in the State Duma offered We exempt some Russians from taxes.