Tax discussions with large Russian companies reflect a balance between voluntary contributions and state needs
The idea that big Russian corporations should make a contribution to the national budget is presented as optional, with a clear warning that entrepreneurs must stay aware of current realities and the country’s needs. This stance was reiterated by Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary for the Russian president, on Friday, February 17. The message underscored that government policy on financing state priorities is shaped by ongoing dialogue between authorities and the business sector.
When representatives of business were asked how authorities would respond to people who prefer not to participate in such fees, officials stressed that the concept rests on voluntary engagement. The exchange between leadership and business is described as a two-way street, with both sides needing to understand today’s economic conditions and the immediate needs of the country. As one spokesman noted, the aim is pragmatic collaboration rather than coercion.
The Kremlin indicated that the government is exploring a suitable mechanism in partnership with the business community. While discussions continue, officials pointed out that similar practices exist globally and have appeared in different forms at various times. Contacts with business leaders at the government level remain active, negotiations are ongoing, and the finer details are in the process of being worked out. A brief pause was acknowledged as conversations progress.
In parallel, Anton Siluanov, the finance minister of the Russian Federation, spoke about plans to adjust tax legislation to facilitate a voluntary contribution from large enterprises. He explained that such a contribution would support social and infrastructure expenditures, with the expectation of strengthening public services without affecting the oil and gas sector or smaller and medium-sized enterprises. The minister emphasized that all details had been discussed with the business community and that a suitable funding tool would soon be identified to support government programs.
According to Siluanov, the anticipated contribution could channel resources into key program areas, with an estimated impact in the hundreds of billions of rubles. He described the form of support as still under active discussion with business representatives, focusing on form rather than rate. The aim is to determine a structure that aligns with both fiscal needs and the interests of major firms, ensuring the approach is transparent and effective.
Looking ahead, the finance ministry outlined a potential option for a profit-based levy in 2021–2022, compared with 2019–2020, as part of a broader review. The government has also discussed a one-time voluntary tax contribution with large companies. This is framed as a measure to address exceptional gains rather than a general tax increase, with sources noting that the proposal envisaged a substantial one-time donation of hundreds of billions of rubles. The discussion was described as part of ongoing negotiations rather than a finalized policy.
First Deputy Prime Minister Andrey Belousov commented on the approach, clarifying that the emphasis is on voluntary, non-recurrent contributions rather than a broad tax hike. Reporters quoted him as saying that the government is interested in a practical financial instrument that can swiftly bolster the budget without disrupting the broader tax environment. Media coverage cited previous government proposals about major enterprises contributing a sizable one-time amount, highlighting strong year-end results reported by many companies, which provided a favorable context for such discussions. The exchanges underscored a shared sentiment: last year’s financial outcomes were robust, which helps justify exploring new forms of corporate support for public programs.