A recent report details that the Russian government did not back a proposed restaurant tax set at 1% of each bill, intended to benefit participants in Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine. The assessment comes from Vedomosti, which cited the conclusions of the Council of Ministers regarding the draft bill.
According to the report, the authors behind the proposal aimed to introduce a new charge without amending the Tax Code of the Russian Federation. This approach clashes with the principle that tax regulations are determined by law, not by executive decree. The government recommended sending the bill for a conceptual revision to address these legal inconsistencies.
The Cabinet also highlighted ambiguity in the current draft about who would administer the restaurant fee and the exact mechanism by which public catering establishments would direct funds toward needs connected with the special operation. The lack of a clear operational framework raised questions about collection, allocation, and oversight.
Earlier in 2023, Communist Party deputies Mikhail Matveev and Vyacheslav Markhaev submitted to the State Duma a bill proposing a “restaurant tax” to fund participants in the special operation. The plan targeted diners at venues such as restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, with a planned pilot in 2024. Matveev indicated that he was not ready to confirm whether the bill would be finalized, noting ongoing deliberations.
There were persistent concerns about potential risks associated with introducing restaurant fees for supporting the needs related to the operation. Analysts and lawmakers warned that clarity and accountability would be essential to ensure that any collected funds were transparent and properly used.