Vladislav Davankov of New People, a deputy chairman of the State Duma, floated a plan to create a tax deduction for school supplies in Russia. The proposal was outlined in a formal letter to Anton Siluanov, the minister of finance. Davankov asked the ministry to consider a social tax deduction that would help families with at least one child aged 7 to 17, while excluding households earning more than 5 million rubles per year. This request reflects a broader push to ease family expenses through targeted fiscal relief, according to the letter.
The parliamentarian cited Rosstat figures to illustrate the cost burden on parents. Last year, the expense to equip a boy for first grade reached about 22.3 thousand rubles, while a girl required roughly 26.8 thousand rubles, assuming both parents are employed. Without support, many households face financial strain amid rising prices for school essentials and back-to-school necessities.
Proponents argue that the proposed tax deduction would promote social justice by reducing the outlay for families with limited means. The measure is presented as a practical way to alleviate financial pressures and create a more equitable framework for education-related costs.
In a separate development, on August 8, Deputy Yevgeny Fedorov of the State Duma discussed with Anton Kotyakov, the head of the Ministry of Labor, a plan to extend the use of the tax deduction for families with three or more children when purchasing a home. This idea aligns with ongoing debates about how tax incentives can support multi-child households in achieving longer-term financial stability.
Earlier discussions in Russia also explored allowing maternity capital to be used for investment purposes, signaling a broader reevaluation of how government tools can support family wealth-building and housing security. These conversations reflect a wider recognition that policy instruments may need to adapt to evolving family needs and financial realities.