– How did the idea to introduce a “fun tax” come about? If your bill is backed, who will pay this 1%? Restaurants, waiters or visitors?
– The idea arose by one of the owners of the Togliatti restaurant, when we discussed the incompatibility between the continuation of hostilities, our soldiers in the trenches, and the fact that many people continue to live an ordinary peaceful life. life, visiting restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, discos. He had the idea to create such a targeted tax that would be from the visitor’s check. This is how a person leaves a tip. Usually around 5% of the cost of the order, people leave for a tip.
Here is the tax to be transferred. Perhaps in terms of terminology this would be a fee, not a tax. Now that I’m discussing this situation with lawyers, there are several options. Or by analogy with the resort fee, because businesses, legal entities – they already pay VAT. For this reason, it may be necessary to develop a separate article in the Tax Law and not make any changes.
In any case, we are talking about the target amount, which depends on the size of the check. And as far as I’m guessing, it should be transferred to a special state fund that the president mentioned during his speech – a fund to support the families of mobilized and deceased soldiers.
– How will these interruptions be controlled? Is there a possibility that some organizations will not fund this 1%?
– It’s a very simple question. All checks passed, all go through the accounting system. There is no difficulty here.
– Do you think visitors will tip the waiters less? Then your initiative will not please them at all.
– Well, I don’t care if they tip less (laughs). I don’t think this will interest the waiters in any way because usually people tip in cash but pay by card by check. Therefore, I think no one in particular will even notice this 1%. Except, of course, foreign diplomats from countries hostile to Russia, who will find themselves in a rather difficult situation. Because by visiting Russian restaurants, they will automatically help the families of those mobilized, and perhaps even the military. And they may need to be sanctioned by their own states. Or they will have to buy dumplings from Pyaterochka and cook them on their own.
– When do you plan to submit the draft to the State Duma for consideration?
— I think the bill will be ready by the end of May. Here, the issue is not only legal but also tax law, thus requiring additional elaboration in terms of initiative. Obviously, a government opinion will be required and, if necessary, sent to the government for a response before being presented to the State Duma. I hope both the majority of my colleagues and the government will support this idea because it works very well.
I emphasize that this is not about income tax. We are talking about the category of people who can afford to visit a restaurant. Also, initially the idea was only in Moscow, St. Petersburg or regional centres. But I think it could spread to the whole country.
One is resting, having fun, having extra money. In any case, it’s not about robbing the poor, it’s just about people who have extra money.
For ease of management, this should apply to anyone with the appropriate status of cafes and restaurants. Certainly not the canteen.
– So, the same “Tasty and to the point”, Rostic’s, etc. Will it touch?
– Yes, I guess. Basically, this is a controversial topic. You can’t get any cafes, you can only ride in restaurants. This is a topic that needs more elaboration. It hasn’t been written yet, as I’ve outlined the bill so far. there are options.
— Will you discuss this initiative with restaurateurs?
– I want to say once again that this idea was voiced by the owner of one of the restaurants in the Samara region. I do not intend to organize roundtable meetings on this issue.