State Secretary and Deputy Finance Minister Alexei Sazanov said that the Russian ministry is not considering any proposals for a progressive income tax scale. TASS reported that the ministry remains uninterested in introducing a higher tax on income as a means to fund state priorities.
“No, we are not currently discussing such an idea,” Sazanov stated, underscoring the government’s current stance on personal income taxation. This reassurance comes amid a broader public debate about how tax policy could support national budgets and fiscal needs in the face of evolving economic conditions.
Previously, a group of former Communist Party lawmakers introduced a bill that would raise the personal income tax rate to 30 percent for individuals earning 10 million rubles or more per year. The authors argued that this would create a new top bracket beyond the existing PIT structure, aiming to increase revenue from high earners to fund government priorities and state programs.
In related remarks, Mikhail Shchapov, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Budget and Taxes, indicated that if additional funds were necessary for military operations and defense, it could be possible to mobilize resources. He suggested that excess wealth held by the super-rich and certain resource exporters could be tapped to support special military operations, contingent on policy decisions and fiscal conditions. These comments reflect ongoing discussions about fiscal tools and the balance between revenue collection and economic impact on different segments of society.
The dialogue on taxation in Russia occurs within a broader context of public and political scrutiny over how the tax system should evolve to address income inequality, state expenditure, and strategic obligations. Stakeholders include lawmakers, fiscal analysts, business leaders, and ordinary citizens who watch how tax policy reshapes disposable income and investment incentives. In Canada and the United States, taxation debates often center on progressive brackets, fairness, and the role of the tax system in financing defense, infrastructure, and social programs. While the specifics differ, many countries examine how top-tier rates influence behavior, revenue stability, and economic growth, and they weigh policy options against macroeconomic goals and fiscal prudence. Attribution: Coverage based on statements from state officials and parliamentary proposals reported by state media outlets. See primary summaries from TASS for the latest official positions and legislative proposals.