Recent surveys reveal that more than half of Russians surveyed would accept a higher personal income tax of 15 percent on earnings of five million rubles per year. This finding comes from a financial market poll conducted by Vyberu.ru with coverage by socialbites.ca.
Participants were asked what annual salary they believed would justify paying an increased tax. A third of respondents, 31 percent, pointed to a salary of 2.5 million rubles per year. Seventeen percent indicated a 15 percent rate could be paid if annual earnings approached one million rubles.
Meanwhile, 52 percent of respondents worry that tax changes could reduce their take-home pay. Nine percent think employers might compensate the portion above the threshold in an informal envelope. Forty-one percent feel their earnings would stay the same.
Experts highlighted that a reform proposal introducing differentiated taxation could help reduce income inequality and boost tax revenues for social programs. In a challenging economic climate, observers noted that the lower income threshold for calculating personal income tax should be reviewed regularly, since salaries typically rise with inflation.
On May 28, the Ministry of Finance proposed a five-tier progression for personal income tax. For monthly income up to 200 thousand rubles (about 2.4 million rubles annually), a 13 percent rate would apply. Earnings between 200 and 416.7 thousand rubles per month would face 15 percent. Monthly income from 416.7 thousand to 1.67 million rubles (5–20 million yearly) would be taxed at 18 percent. Income from 1.67 million to 4.17 million rubles per month (20–50 million annually) would see a 20 percent rate, and above 4.17 million per month (over 50 million yearly) a 22 percent rate would apply. Officials said the reform would not affect the majority of Russians.
Further details appeared in media coverage from newspapers and financial outlets, while economists have already weighed in on potential revenue from these changes.
Overall, proponents argue that the reform could lead to a fairer tax system and more robust funding for public services, while critics caution about possible shifts in incentives and the distribution of tax burdens across different income groups.